Named for Mount Aspiring, one of New Zealand's highest peaks, Mount Aspiring National Park is a dreamland of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes.
In the past, Maori trekked through the region on their way to the pounamu fields of the west coast; Europeans visited to map, name and explore geographical features of the area; settlers attempted to farm and mine some of the valleys - the relics have blended into the stunning scenery.
For wilderness lovers, the park offers an extensive choice of valley journeys - including the Routeburn Track. In summer, it's possible to walk from one valley to another over spectacular mountain passes.
In straddling the 'great divide' of the Southern Alps, the Mount Aspiring National Park presents a breathtaking range of landscapes.
At its heart is a massive area of wilderness - glaciers, snowfields, mountains, valleys and wildlife habitats that require days of hiking to reach. To the west of the divide, where rainfall is plentiful, the beech forest comes with a sound track of birdsong and waterfalls. Deep in the glacier-gouged valleys of the east, grassy river flats are hemmed by imposing mountains. And above the tree line, subalpine gardens of tussock, lichens and dainty flowering herbs survive against all odds.
Rock forms are an unforgettable feature of the park. From the curiously coloured slopes of the Red Hills to the brittle grey schist of the alps, ice ages and huge tectonic upheavals have created beauty with a hard edge.
(Wiki)
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Last edited by:
18 July 2008
First added by:
18 July 2008
A friend and I left Wanaka on New Year’s Day. The bare, rugged peaks surrounding the lake gradually gave way to gentler, greener shades as we followed first Lake Wanaka, and then the Matukituki River upstream towards the park. I must admit that I wasn’t terribly excited, but it’s not every day you get to see a glacier. The car was left at Raspberry Flat while we set out down the well worn track. It was not long before we reached the hanging bridge that crosses the Matukituki River. We left our packs on the other side and took the turn off to see the Rob Roy glacier. It was a warm sunny day and it was nice not to be burdened with the extra weight as we followed the track up. The stream draining the glacier had cut a steep gorge and the blue-grey water sloshed and gurgled its way down through the boulders. We did not have to go very far before we caught the first glimpse of the glacier though the trees. It seemed so high, like it might come crashing down on our heads at any moment. The glacier kept up this hide and seek game, popping into view occasionally around a bend or behind a tree as we walked up the 10 km trail. But it was always there. You could feel gusts of cool breeze coming off the ice. We met some cheeky Keas on the way, which were kind enough to pose for a few photos before flying off in search of trouble. It was a warm hike, but tempered by the cool stream that we followed and by the fresh, cool breezes.
We arrived at the foot of Rob Roy. The Glacier was a magnificent chunk of ice, perched on the top of a rocky, bowl-shaped cirque. The water falls pouring off the rocks glittered in the bright sunshine. The wind blew many of the waterfalls to mist before they reached the ground. It was a good, sweaty climb and worth every moment. We stopped for a muesli bar while enjoying the scenery. I felt so lucky to have found this place and could not understand why there were not hoards of tourist here, only ten or so others that were lounging and taking digital memories to show family and friends back home. We did not linger long; we still had more tramping to do before we could relax for the night at the hut. Going back down the hill must have taken half the time it took to go up, and before long we had crossed the bridge again and were on the grassy flats by the river. The remains of winter snow still clung to the rocky peaks while in the valley the gentle green grasses swayed in the breeze. The grazing cows and sheep added a country feeling to the alpine backdrop. After 9 km through the river valley we sighted Aspiring Hut, and a ute (!) beside it which made us wonder who possibly could have driven there. A quick dip in the nearby stream left us clean and refreshed.
From Aspiring Hut, one option is to go up and over Cascade Saddle to the Dart Glacier and River. The 60 km track hooks up with the Rees-Dart track in the west. Otherwise you continue up the valley towards the romantically named Shovel Flat and Pearl Flat. From Pearl Flat there are at least 3 destinations. One highly recommended is the French ridge. You cross the river from pearl flat, by ford or bridge and then it’s a steep 7 km climb up Gloomy gorge to the ridge. The NZAC hut is located just below the summer snow line, although when we were there in January it was still in the snow. Another option is to keep following the valley through beech forest and scrub to Scott’s Rock bivouac which the DOC website describes as “a small and not entirely waterproof rock shelter”. The third option from Pearl flat is a steep track that leads up to Liverpool Hut, and that was the direction our boots were pointed. Although a mere 6 km From Pear Flat it is a steep climb through beach forest to the tussocks above the tree line. The trail is a bit deceptive, because after you first sight the bright orange hut you must continue climbing up and around a knoll before you reach it. Liverpool hut is simple with an amazing view. The Matukituki river valley is spread out below while and Mt. Barff and the glaciers still clinging to it make an impressive backdrop. There is room in the shelter for 6-8 people; we were only three that night so it was quite roomy. The guest book makes for an interesting read after dinner. My favourite quote was a description of the way up to the hut: “a bitch of a climb”. That says it all.
Mt Aspiring hosts other tracks like the Greenstone and Routeburn track; a great walk. People with an average level of fitness should have no problem doing the tramp I have just described. The only hazardous part was the steep climb to Liverpool hut. The descent was a little dangerous in the rain but since the distance back to Mt aspiring hut and even the Raspberry flat car park is not so great, there is no need to rush up or down the slope. That said there is much to see and explore around Mt Aspiring National park for people with all levels of fitness. Pleasant day trips and longer tramps take you though green valleys and over windswept ridges and glaciers all in the very same day. The memory of my hike through Mt aspiring warms my heart and I long for the day I can return.
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