Sunday, 1 February 2026

Te Araroa 30/01/26

Day 131, Highland Creek Hut to Roses Hut (2682)

It was yet another perfectly clear morning (it can't last) when I dropped down from the hut to start the first climb.

Morning light on distant peaks
I had decided on another short day as there was a lot of climbing involved, 900 meters up with 1000 meters down and a hot sunny afternoon.
Difficult terrain 
There were two saddles to cross, the first had several false starts over the hills before the main climb and then a very steep ridge down to cross a stream and some remnant beech forest.
But beautiful 
There was brutal climb up through some landslips then, the path actually zig-zagged up, something that doesn't often happen in New Zealand.
Looking back to the high hills 

Coming down from the first saddle 
A slightly more gentle ridge followed to the top and there were some amazing views looking back to Lake Wānaka.
A bit of forest to negotiate 

Looking back, Lake Wanaka in the distance 



The final ridge down
Another steep descent on a ridge to the Motatapu River which I managed to cross with dry feet before a short walk to the Hut.

Roses Hut
Only the young German girl went further, everyone else going this way stopped here.


Plenty of people here tonight 

It was a busy tonight, 18 people in a 12 bed hut (6 camping)



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