 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
    |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Trek Notes - New ZealandGillespie Pass 4 Days
The Young-Siberia-Wilkin round trip includes Gillespie Pass at over 1500m. A stunningly beautiful location. Well prepared track and bridges make this trek less daunting than Rabbit Pass but like all Wild Walks, it is still a challenge. The track begins in dense temperate rain forest and steadily climbs into wondrous alpine paradise. We finish the trip with a thrilling jet boat ride back to civilization. There are mountain huts we can use but often we camp out in tents. If the native flora is your interest, the primordial plant associations will amaze you. Eighty percent of the Native plant species are found no where else in the world! This is an experience you will never forget. The Gillespie Pass guided trek is located in the heart New Zealand's Mount Aspiring National Park. This area is one of New Zealand's great treasures. The mountains here form a glaciated cirque named by one of the South Islands great explorers, Charles Douglas. Names were important to Douglas and he saved the best for the best. Our professional guide will ensure your safety as we explore this remote and seldom visited area. All food and overnight gear is supplied; all you carry is a light day pack. On the Gillespie pass trek you will be required to carry your own sleeping bag and thermarest which is provided if you didn't bring one. Evenings are spent at our spectacular campsites. Our camps are our home in the hills and we pride ourselves on luxurious and environmentally aware sites. Sit back while we prepare an outrageously good meal. We supply everything you need to relax and enjoy this alpine paradise. New Zealand is a truly unique country. Due to its geographic isolation many plants and animals have evolved which exist no where else on earth. The only way to appreciate this biodiversity and get a sense of how glaciation shaped the southern alps is to walk through the densely forested valleys, relax by the crystal clear rivers and endure the trek up to a high alpine pass. Itinerary
Day We meet you at our offices on the lakefront in Wanaka. After checking through the group's gear, we depart for the township of Makarora. If the rivers are high then Jet Boat access to the start of the track is provided. The Young Valley is a wonderland of dense native forest and high peaks. The trail steepens and climbs steadily to tree line. Tonight we stay at the new Young hut. 20km -- 7 hrs -- 650m ascent The track winds its way up the valley sidewall under the awesome east face of Mount Awful. This is really an alpine paradise. The track climbs steeply alongside a rock bluff onto a snow grass spur that after 3 to 4 hours, leads to the pass. The climbing ends at Gillespie Pass and one of the great view points of the Southern Alps. From here there's an impressive view, with Mount Alba dominating the skyline. After a short downhill we walk through the forest to reach our camp next to Gillespie stream. 6hrs 550m ascent 550m descent We leave our packs behind today as we do a day trip to Lake Crucible. This unusual lake sits high above the Siberia Valley, nestled under Mt Alba. It is a steep climb through a forest, with a small river crossing, and finally the ascent through a snowgrass flat until you reach the lake. 7 km -- 7hrs -- 880m ascent -- 880m descent
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|