Routeburn track, Fiordland

**unstuck** · 28th May 2011, 10:52

Any one walked the routeburn in winter. Was wondering if they leave the gas there for cooking at the huts,or do you take your own. I am getting conflicting information from DOC which is nothing new. Anyone who has done a winter crossing and knows about this i would like to hear from you.Doing the crossing in 2 weeks.Cheers, darren.

**unstuck** · 28th May 2011, 16:21

I guess there are not many trampers on kb then.

**Jantar** · 28th May 2011, 16:28

I guess I'm one of the few who done a winter crossing, but that was many years ago when there was no gas in the huts and you had to carry everything yourself.

Unless you are experienced in alpine winter conditions then this is about as late in the season as you would want to attempt it. Even now there are likely to be snow drifts in the area of the Harris Saddle and the top of the McKenzie zig zag.

Enjoy your trip and take plenty of pics.

**unstuck** · 28th May 2011, 16:47

Originally Posted by Jantar

I guess I'm one of the few who done a winter crossing, but that was many years ago when there was no gas in the huts and you had to carry everything yourself.

Unless you are experienced in alpine winter conditions then this is about as late in the season as you would want to attempt it. Even now there are likely to be snow drifts in the area of the Harris Saddle and the top of the McKenzie zig zag.

Enjoy your trip and take plenty of pics.

Cheers, this is a bit of a tame trip as we are taking my father who is 68. Usually stay away from the main walks but i think some of the places we usually go may be a bit extreme for the old fella.Some DOC info says they take out the gas from the huts over winter but another couple of people who work for DOC say the could leave them there. Think i will just take everything we need just to be safe,just wanted to be as light as possible for the old fella.

**Okey Dokey** · 29th May 2011, 09:31

Have a great trip. It will probably be worth a bit of cold weather to go when then aren't a zillion others on the track. Enjoy!

**scumdog** · 29th May 2011, 09:49

Not a good idea if the weather is at all dodgy, not knocking your old man because of his age but given the cold/winds/snow possibility etc it could be hard on him, - however you could take one of those small gas cookers with you if you were determined to do the tramp.

**Dadpole** · 29th May 2011, 10:57

My experience with DOC huts over winter (including many years as a hut warden) is that some people will use the gas cookers to try and heat the hut. Always take your own gas cooker, as the time you don't will be when you find one of these Nimrods was there before you.

No advice for the Routeburn sorry. Still on the 'one day - perhaps' list.

**Usarka** · 29th May 2011, 14:19

Take a locator beacon.

I almost died of hyporthermia on a saddle near arthurs pass in Oct last year. Wind changed to southerly and took my unawares, realised i was hyporthermic when i fell over and hit my head in a stream and just lay there going bibble. Caried on a bit in a daze and finally decided to pitch the tent as the snow started coming in hard.

Ps - prob wasn't as well marked/formed as the routebourne though so she'll be right!

**unstuck** · 29th May 2011, 14:42

Have worked for DOC myself for a few years based out of tapanui so know how unorganized and inconsistent they can be.Will be taking a locator beacon and on advice from some good guys who still work within DOC we will be taking a chopper over the harris saddle if there is too much snow. Dont fancy the chances of fighting an avalanche. Will also be taking our own gas and spreading the weight between myself and my 2 brothers, although my father is probably fitter than any of us even after triple bypass. We did the hollyford out to martins bay ealier this year and he handled that ok.So all going well should be a great trip without all the millions of loopies. Now to talk them into a side trip to the valley of trolls for a spot of real adventure.

**Usarka** · 29th May 2011, 14:47

Originally Posted by unstuck

I am getting conflicting information from DOC which is nothing new.

Last time they did this to me I cancelled a well planned and exciting crossing because it was "too dangerous" from all the snow and ice. Met people coming over the crossing saying there was no snow or ice at all.

I don't listen to what they tell me now.

**unstuck** · 29th May 2011, 14:55

Originally Posted by Usarka

Last time they did this to me I cancelled a well planned and exciting crossing because it was "too dangerous" from all the snow and ice. Met people coming over the crossing saying there was no snow or ice at all.

I don't listen to what they tell me now.

YEP,after my years of working for them, I tend to shop around for advice now.Got stranded on codfish island for awhile after too many boffins in head office got involved and made a really big fuck up,which left us without anything to eat for quite awhile. Those kakapo were looking mighty good. Luckily the seafood and fishing down there is awesome.

**unstuck** · 12th June 2011, 21:17

Just a couple of pics from the trip. It was awesome,perfect weather,hardly any people.Bloody good walk.

**Winston001** · 12th June 2011, 22:19

Well done, that's a great experience to have with your Dad. I'd gues your timing was spot on and very little snow?

**unstuck** · 13th June 2011, 06:19

Yes, was a great experience. He did alright for his age,and considering he has had triple bypass surgery also, he did really well. Would recommend this walk to anyone.Perfect time of year for it.