Baton Saddle, Karamea, Biggs Tops, Mt Luna, Kiwi Saddle - Kahurangi NP, July 2020

A flooded Dart River prevented us accessing Rolling River. Time to revert to Plan B - start by going up the Baton River
The flooded Baton river at roadend. Luckily a foot bridge provided a safe crossing.
Our last major Baton river crossing before the hut still provided a cold crossing.
Flanagans hut provided us the means to dry out after a cold,wet ascent of the Baton
Day two's ascent to the Baton Saddle was thru wet vegetation and low cloud.
We checked out the tarn just below the Baton Saddle that we camped beside in Feb 2020. Plenty of water in it not like the puddle we found in drought conditions during summer.
The descent of Wilkinson Creek was reasonably marked but slippery with some Stinging Needles to keep you concntrated on where you tread.
Signage at the track intersection with the Leslie track
A cold Karamea Bend hut had little firewood in the vicinity to provide some heating.
View of the Karamea river as we move towards Crow hut.
A sunny Crow hut provided a good stop for an early lunch.
A frozen Trevor Carter hut required a decent fire before it started to warm up.
Start of the Biggs Top route
Great to be on the Biggs Tops on a blue sky day.
Mike and Wade on the ridgeline as we ascend to Spot Height 1414 on Biggs Tops.
View SE from Biggs Tops over the Wangapeka saddle to Nugget Knob and the Allen Range.
An interesting pattern in a frozen puddle.
An ancient Dracophyllum highlighted by the winter sun.
Descending the Wangapeka valley from the saddle thru frozen clearings.
Leaving Stone hut on a bitterly cold morning to cross the Wangapeka river.
The cold, frozen basin below Mt Luna before we climb up to the saddle above Taylor Basin.
View SE from Mt Luna to Mt Patriarch with Mt Own and the Marino Mountains behind(middle to RHS)
Traversing the ridge as we make our way to Kiwi Saddle.
Wade descending off Spot Height 1578 on the way to Kiwi Saddle hut.
Mike and Wade on the skyline as we descend to SH 1312 on the way to Kiwi Saddle with Mt Patriarch on the right.
Kiwi Saddle Hut.
Whio info noticeboard at Rolling River.
Doc track signage at Rolling river
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