Rees-Dart

So my last multi-day tramp. I picked the Rees-Dart as it is not one of the Great Walks and therefore doesn't require booking and also is a bit wilder. The first day and a half follows the Rees River valley:


These cows were enjoying the grass along the river:

Looking up towards the back of Mt Earnslaw:


The first night the hut was full, so busier than I thought! But no-one is turned away. The track follows the river up to the Rees Saddle, 1447m. Here looking back down the valley:


Somewhere up in this range is a peak called Lochnagar, also with a loch of the same name below:


Spotted (and heard) this kea on a rock. There were quite a few about:


Some dramatic peaks:


Highly recommend a merino t-shirt - won't smell even after 4 days of wear!:


Once over the saddle there is the Snowy Creek to cross. The bridge is removed in winter to avoid it being destroyed by avalanches:


Looking across to the Hesse Glacier and down to the Dart River:


The Dart Hut, becoming very busy as lots of people stay an extra night to do some of the side routes, but the warden had provided some extra mattresses for people to bunk down in the kitchen:

The Scots have definitely been here too:


No boots in the hut and probably best to leave the socks out there too!:


Me and my shadow again:


One of the enjoyable things about this walk was the reduced track marking, few signs and lots of old rock cairns:


There was a fresh dusting of snow on the second night:


Looking back up the Dart Valley across cattle flat. A great variety of scenery on this walk:


Nearing the third hut this lovely open grassland at Quinns Flat:


More blue skies to end the day (there was frost on the ground the next morning):


Despite the busy huts I walked most of the time on my own, it all felt very peaceful and quite remolte. On the last day the track follows the Dart River down the valley:


So another 60km of track walked and back to Queenstown for a rest.

Video of a kea