Here is what is planned for this trip …
Leave Timaru around 7 am on Tuesday the 9th. Drive to Lake Ohau and leave the vehicle at the start of the Hopkins valley.
From the vehicle it will be an easy walk up to Monument Hut, for a (perhaps!) slightly early lunch and a cuppa, before carrying on up to the swing bridge over the Huxley River and then on up to the hut – around a 5 hour walk in total at “cruising/good yarning” speed. It’s around an 18 km walk from the road end to the hut, but it’s all basically flat walking. There aren’t really any river crossings except for the odd small side stream – so it should be a mostly “dry boots event”!
Stay the night at the hut, then a quiet walk back out the same way the next morning. Ben is really looking forward to seeing the hut, as the last one had to be rebuilt after he was there as a 14 year old!
On the way home a compulsory stop for ice cream or coffee in either Tekapo or Fairlie will be enforced!
Note that as this trip will be weather dependent Ben will be in touch with those interested to keep them updated on conditions.

Hut Fees: $5 per person, or one blue (Standard) DoC hut ticket, or Annual Hut Pass
Grade: Moderate
Organiser: Ben 027 3880671

Grade: Moderate