The Southern Lakes area has been sculpted over time by colossal glaciers
to form some of the most remarkable terrain in Aotearoa.
The remaining landscape holds some of the most beautiful and challenging
tramping routes in New Zealand.
One of the more hazardous adventures takes you right
past Dart Glacier for an extraordinary alpine experience.
The Cascade Saddle Route is a 17 kilometer, 8-10 hour alpine crossing
that connects West Matukituki Valley with the Dart Valley.
DOC recommends to only attempt the pass from the Matukituki side
as ascending is much safer than descending. It is a very challenging and
technical climb and numerous deaths have occurred here, so you will need
advanced tramping (hiking) experience to navigate the path safely.
The best time of year to cross Cascade Saddle
is middle to late summer.
Snow and steep terrain have contributed to multiple fatalities so
this will be the safest period to give it a go.
It isn't recommended to attempt the crossing outside of this period due
to the high amount of snowfall it receives.
The average daily summer temperature sits around 5-10 degrees (C)
and you can expect approximately 200 days of rain per year.
It's important to remember that you will be in an
alpine environment which means there is a good chance you will experience heavy rain,
strong winds, snow and freezing temperatures even in the height of summer.
So, you'll need warm and waterproof clothing as well as a good
pair of tramping (hiking) boots.
A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is also highly
recommended on this route. As with all walks and tramps (hikes) in New Zealand make
sure you 'Leave Your Intentions' with a trusted contact and inform them when
you've finished your tramp. You can find out more about 'leaving your intentions'
at the Mountain Safety Council website.
Starting at Raspberry Creek car park you will need to walk two and a half hours
up the valley to Aspiring Hut. This is the official start of the route so factor
8-10 hours of tramping from this point. The first section through the bush
is quite steep but you are well sheltered in here. Near the top of the bush you
will need to cross a stream. There's no bridge available so this will take a bit
of care and scrambling to get across. The rocks can get slippery when wet and it
can flood during heavy rain making it impassible so be prepared to wait or
turn around if crossing is not safe. Use the bush line as a decision-making point
as the track drastically changes into an expert route. Leaving the bush also means
you'll be left highly exposed to any incoming weather and there is no shelter
for the next 6-9 hours. Look toward Mount Aspiring and if the weather
looks poor, or if you are unsure about your ability, then you should have some
lunch, enjoy the view and turn back around.
From here, the route becomes narrow, steep and very exposed. You'll need to use your
hands to essentially climb up many sections of the track. Just follow the
orange poles to find your way. The track becomes slippery in wet conditions and
a fall from here can be fatal so watch your footing and turn around if the
weather deteriorates. If snow is present at this stage it is not recommended to
proceed any further unless you have crampons and an ice axe and most
importantly, the skills to use them. Slipping in snow here has resulted in
people falling several hundred meters off the cliffs below. As you climb higher
you will be rewarded with a beautiful view and great photo opportunities.
Just be extremely careful and pay constant attention to the cliff edge.
Don't put yourself at unnecessary risk by searching for that perfect photo spot.
The final section of the climb is the most dangerous and you'll find signs
here warning you of this danger. The track zigzags above several bluffs and there
is no room for error here. You will need extreme care and
concentration to safely navigate this section even on the best day. But the
risk of falling is especially high when snow or strong winds are present so
again if snow is present and you do not have crampons and an ice axe
do not proceed past this point.
Roughly four hours after leaving Mt Aspiring Hut you'll reach the highest point of your journey
This is another good decision-making point. So, reassess the weather. Remember, you still
have six hours of challenging tramping to go, including four river crossings.
So, turning back may be a safer alternative if conditions are poor. Otherwise if you
are prepared to camp, the Cascade Creek campsite is only one hour away.
Finally, assess how much daylight hours you have left. With six hours of tramping
to go you don't want to get caught in the dark. The descent into the campsite
quickly begins. It requires you to travel over Schist slabs and small scree slopes.
The Schist is quite hard to get a good foothold on and can be very slippery
when wet. Test all hand and footholds as the Schist is crumbly and rock can
easily break off when holding on to it. Cascade Creek Campsite sits at the
bottom of this descent and it's the only place you are permitted to camp on the crossing.
There is a toilet available here so be sure to use it to keep the track tidy.
Just past the toilet you will need to cross a river. This can be a
gentle stream or a raging current depending on how much rain or snowmelt
has occurred throughout the day. Make sure you're familiar with the 'Mutual Support'
technique to safely cross the river if it is in flood.
The next section is fairly straightforward as you traverse toward the actual saddle.
Stick to the marked route as you will pass near Cascade Basin which has many steep drop-offs.
You'll be highly exposed to any wind or
bad weather up here, and cloud or fog can reduce visibility. So make sure you can
see the next route marker before leaving your current one. Mount Aspiring offers
amazing views on a nice clear day. Just keep a close eye on any loose items as
the ever-charming Kea are often spotted wandering around up here.
As you move off the saddle you will start your descent down past Dart Glacier. This section is
deceivingly time-consuming as the area experiences frequent landslides and
avalanches, which constantly reshapes the terrain and buries route markers.
You'll need good route finding experience and look out for any remaining markers or
rock cairns to help you find the safest way down. Take care on this descent as
the ground isn't very stable and you'll find walking poles will be a huge help.
Upon reaching the Dart Valley floor you will follow
the Dart River all the way down to Dart Hut. The last three rivers before Dart Hut
are prone to rising fast, which can make them difficult to cross safely.
These rivers rise faster in wet weather but also during nice warm days as the snow
at higher elevations will melt increasing the river flow. You'll need to
be aware and prepared for this before you start your tramp. Pack some
extra food, warm clothes and a head torch. Bring a tent or basic shelter as you may
need to wait overnight for river levels to drop, even if you are only doing a day
walk from Dart Hut to the glacier. Finally, do not attempt to cross the rivers if
they are swollen or in flood.
Arrival at Dart Hut signals the end of Cascade Saddle Route
but keep in mind you'll still have one to two days of tramping
before reaching civilization.
Crossing Cascade Saddle is a challenging route
that requires a high level of tramping fitness and experience to complete, but
it is a rewarding adventure for those that are prepared and have adequate
experience for the trip. Aim to give it a go from late December to early April.
If you don't think this track is for you or if snow is present on the pass then try
out the Rob Roy or West Matukituki tracks. Talk to DOC staff
at the Tititea / Mt Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre in Wanaka to get
up-to-date track conditions. Finally make sure you check out the official
Mt Aspiring National Park weather forecast at MetService.com before you go.
With enough preparation, experience and the right weather conditions you should have
a pretty amazing alpine adventure!
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