Main Divide crossing

Waimakariri, taipo, arahura ,browning pass. You can make it as simple or hard as you want. Arahura thru styx into kokotahi and clarkes pass. Its endless.

https://youtu.be/ozb5fxvUeWg?si=skmziaCVmeM9b2Na

Link to South Island Rifle walkers vid about southern alps crossing. He uses a pack raft for the last bit, but you could get a different pick up.

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Originally Posted by stug

https://youtu.be/ozb5fxvUeWg?si=skmziaCVmeM9b2Na

Link to South Island Rifle walkers vid about southern alps crossing. He uses a pack raft for the last bit, but you could get a different pick up.

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Good vid so far

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Originally Posted by Jaro

Might be a bit of a highway now being part of the Te Araroa trail, I went through there in March a few years ago and it was fairly busy

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Jaro,
Did you hunt along the way?


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Originally Posted by akaroa1

That's the easiest crossing point

In reality it would have been a vastly easier route for the road that the Arthurs Pass
But further north of the existing town of Christchurch

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Akaroa1,
My thinking is easiest walking to allow hunting on either side of the valley as you get into the walk, assuming it’s a hunting trip as well.


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Originally Posted by Dicko

Jaro,
Did you hunt along the way?


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To be fair no. Like you say hunting up either side of the valleys would be good I would have thought. In my mind part of a decent trip is getting away from the crowds, especially the critters on the TA (bathing in hut water tanks was a thing when we went through)

Thanks for ideas everyone.
As others have said, or asked.
Transportation at the other end to be worked out, I was thinking a rental car.
Definitely would prefer a path with lower numbers of humans.
I’m sure it’s the same for most of us, it’s the remoteness and wildness experience I’m looking for, not track shitting tourists. Happy to find a path less trodden to avoid them.
I presume you’d need a week?

I'd want 7-10 days... Probably plan for 7 and allow for 10. A day stuck in the tent/hut watching it hiss down, or a day high in the alpine snoozing in the sun as the mood strikes.

I like the idea of cruising and spending time in areas you want to, rather than busting records. Too old for that anyway..

@Lauries Hut I can drop you off or pick you up on the East end of the Harpers Pass Route if that's the one you end up doing.

I have a life long connection with that area and have commitments up there that mean I'm there multiple times a year anyway.
Can work the taxi service in with needing to be there anyway

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Originally Posted by akaroa1

@Lauries Hut I can drop you off or pick you up on the East end of the Harpers Pass Route if that's the one you end up doing.

I have a life long connection with that area and have commitments up there that mean I'm there multiple times a year anyway.
Can work the taxi service in with needing to be there anyway

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Thanks for the offer, it won’t be a crossing I will do for a while, but I will be in touch when I have some tentative plans to see if it can work.

I’m going to be in chch within the next couple of weeks. If you haven’t found transport for the rifle to Auckland I’m happy to take it up.

Cheers Mike

Easiest is to persuade a mate to come with you to the West Coast then drive ypur car back. Then to bring your car out and pick youbup from the Eastern side when you emerge.

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Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

Or up the Wilbeforce, in to Griffiths Steam, pick a saddle, Griffiths, Clarkes, or Hokitika and over in to the Mungo. Then either head south to Frews and in to the Hokitika, or north and over in to the Kokatahi and out.
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This not a super easy area. Youll need to start early and climb fast to get over the saddles before rockfall starts.

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Originally Posted by Jt89

I'd want 7-10 days... Probably plan for 7 and allow for 10. A day stuck in the tent/hut watching it hiss down, or a day high in the alpine snoozing in the sun as the mood strikes.

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My strategy would be to travel fast and light . practice with a 7 day pack pushing through scrub and stuff without a track. Maybe take a light pack and extra food in case it rains on the West Coast side then ditch most of food and fuel for a dash across the divide and out. Plannon 3 days walking in total if you want to enjoy it. Despite the opportunities for long shots take a very light rifle plus good binos.

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Originally Posted by bluebaiter222

@Husky1600#2 your 1st suggestion of dropping into the Waikite via the upper Poulter sounds extremely dangerous for a solo walk about.Extreme care required as that route puts you perriously close to the Cooperites mob @ Gloriavale.Avoid at all costs as they may want to save your soul.Stick to the monkey scrub of the Frews Saddle as a safer bet

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Not dangerous at all, just a bit scrubby around some of the tops. Have never had any issues with the people from Gloriavale, always given us permission when we asked. And its all public access to the Waikiti Downs road end so no permission needed.