New Year’s Tramp | Dragons Teeth Low Route Crossover – Douglas Range

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From Thursday 30 December 2021
To Wednesday 05 January 2022

Cost: $33

Description

New Year Tramp Crossover | Dragons Teeth Low Route | Douglas Range, Kahurangi NP

We will do a cross-over again, which we last completed 2 years ago (for those who missed the trip last time, or are new to NTC). You can join either party. Both parties will swap car-keys when they meet.

Ray Salisbury will lead the Southbound trip.
Graeme Ferrier with Debbie Hogan as navigator will lead the Northbound trip.

We need to carry tents and will camp most nights, but might stay in the lovely hut at Boulder Lake (bring a hut ticket or 2 just in case). It is best to share tents to save weight and campsite footprint.

Come prepared for hot or cold or wet weather. This trip is categorised by DOC as an expert route. Times are approximate. A good level of fitness and experience on multi-day tramps are required. There are a few gnarly places that are not suitable for the faint of heart :-)

SOUTHBOUND ROUTE

30th Dec: Drive to Aorere River valley and start the steep climb up and over Lead hills. Camp near Lake Clara. (8-10 hr)
31st Dec / New Year’s Eve: Descend to Boulder Lake Hut. Explore 65m waterfall and remains of the old dam wall built by the gold miners of yesteryear. Ray's forefathers grazed sheep here.
1st Jan: From Boulder Lake via the ridges to the delightful Adelaide Tarn Hut (5-6 hr)
2nd Jan: Drop down 700m through forest into the Anatoki River and up again to the Drunken Sailors and Lonely Lake Hut. (8-10 hr)
3rd Jan: From Lonely Lake hut, side trip up to Kakapo Peak (optional extra for the views) to sleep on the ridge campsite above Fenella Hut (7-8 hr)
4th Jan: Spare day OR return home if weather dictates or group decides to. There is the option of traversing over Mt Benson, camping by Ruby Lake, then exiting via Lake Sylvester, or down the Diamond Lake Stream to the cars.
5th Jan: Out via Cobb valley to the cars parked at Trilobite Hut. (6-8 hr)

NORTHBOUND ROUTE

30th Dec: Drive to Trilobite hut, up Cobb valley, past Fenella Hut to sleep on the ridge above Fenella hut (6-8 hr)
31st Dec / New Year’s Eve: Along the ridges, side trip up Kakapo Peak (optional extra for the views), finally dropping down to Lonely Lake Hut. (7-8 hr)
1st Jan: Climb past the Drunken Sailors and drop 800m down into the forests of the upper Anatoki river and back up 700m again to the delightful Adelaide Tarn Hut. (8-10 hr)
2nd Jan: Wander along the ridges to drop down Boulder Lake hut. (5-6 hr)
3rd Jan: Boulder Lake Hut: Explore the stream above the waterfall and the remains of the old dam wall built by the gold miners of yesteryear.
4th Jan: Spare day or out and home if weather dictates or group decides to.
5th Jan: From Boulder Lake hut via a steep climb over Lead Hills to the cars waiting in Aorere River valley. (8-10 hr)

CONTACTS:

Ray Salisbury: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Phone: 021 135 8739

Graeme Ferrier: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Phone: 022 162 1676 

MAPS:

BQ24 Tapawera, Just the first kilometre.
BP24 Takaka and BP23 Gouland Downs.
There are some small sections of the northern start of the Boulder Lake track on BN23 Paturau River, about how to find to the start and BN24 Collingwood.

Mileage: Cobb valley: 105 sealed & 20 unsealed

Bainham: 151 sealed & 9 unsealed

Additional route info:

https://tramping.net.nz/routes/dragons-teeth-route-kahurangi-national-park

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/kahurangi-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/douglas-range/

Registration