Note: Popes Pass is no longer accessible from the east as the eastern flank of Mt Harman has collapsed. Access is now higher on the slopes of Mt Harman as per the route of our repeat trip in 2021. Doc Track Info: Click here Image Gallery: Private Trip, Feb 2002, NTC Trip 2021 |
A variation of classic three passes route. Starting on the braided Waimakariri river and climbing Harman, Whiting and Browning passes and then heading north over Popes pass and Hunts ridge ending back on the main road west of Otira. This trip requires above the bushline experience, advanced navigation skills and good conditions, preferably in summer months when you don't have the risks of heavy snow and avalanches.
Trip Route Details
| Location: Arthurs Pass | Number of Days: 5 | Grade: Med/Fit |
| Start Location: Klondyke corner | Number in Party: 2 | Organisation: Private Trip |
| Finish Locatiion: Otira | Leader: Peter Waworis | Weather: Sleet - Fine weather |
Proposed Route: As tramped. High Res Route Map (3.1mb), Trip Images
| Day One | Details Form Klondyke corner crossed over the Waimak a number of time attempting to find the easiest route up the shingle bed. Long hot slog to Carrington hut |  |
| Time/Km travelled 5hrs, 14.5km | ||
| Hut/Campsite details incl Grid Reference Carrington hut (36 bunk) | ||
| Water source Hut & river |
| Day Two |
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| Day Three | Details From Park Morpeth climbed up to Browning Pass (+500m). The low cloud made navigation across the tops to Popes Pass difficult and we needed the GPS at times to ensure we maintained the correct elevation before dropping down to Popes pass (+280m). Note: Access to Popes Pass from the south is problematic due to the mountain side collapsing. Refer here for updated route map. Descending into Julie creek was a scramble at times with speargrass and tussock holes proving a handful. Slow grind to Julia hut descending 1000m. As the creek was up had limited opportunities to dig a hole and soak in a hot pool:-) |  |
| Time/Km travelled 9hrs, 12km (+900m/-1200m) | ||
| Hut/Campsite details incl Grid Reference Julia Hut (6 bunk) | ||
| Water source Hut and stream |
| Day Four | Details An easy 3km down the Taipa river before ascending Dry creek. This was a real grind with super slippery rocks sending us onto our backside on numerous occassions. This 1060m steep climb had the legs shaking and the transition over Hunts ridge down into the Hunts creek was interesting. We took to the grassed, tussocked slopes to bypass the slippery shingle tops before having a great run down the scree slopes. Transitioning off the scree into the creek was a bit of a boulder hop and slow going. Once in the creek it was easier going to Hunts Creek Hut (-540m) |  |
| Time/Km travelled 8hrs, 10.6km (+1200m/-940m) | ||
| Hut/Campsite details incl Grid Reference Hunts Creek hut (4 bunk) | ||
| Water source Creek |
| Day Five | Details Climb out of basin crossing scree slopes to Hunts saddle with the track following Kelly creek out to the road. Climbs around a gorge but otherwise an easy bash out. |
| Time/Km travelled 12km | |
| Hut/Campsite details incl Grid Reference Nil | |
| Water source Creek |
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