PLEASE NOTE:  

•      THIS IS AN UNMARKED ROUTE. ANY CAIRNS ETC HAVE BEEN ERECTED BY PREVIOUS TRAMPERS FOR THEIR OWN USE .      CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN AT THE TRAIL- HODDER JUNCTION AND THE WATERFALL AREA - IF IN DOUBT-CHECK YOUR MAP!!

 

• COOKING EQUIPMENT MUST BE CARRIED AS THERE ARE NO FIREPLACES IN THE HUTS.

 

 

• HUT FEES ARE $10 PER PERSON PER NIGHT. THESE CAN BE MAILED IN THE ENVELOPES PROVIDED IN THE HUTS OR YOU CAN PAY  ONLINE TO WESTPAC A/C 03 0599 0283288 00 
• Please note hut fees and your name on the payment  form. An email to the treasurer carolmckie@hotmail.com   as advice of payment would be appreciated

•   PARKING  A few inconsiderate (dumb) people have left their vehicles in front of or alongside gates.  Please ensure you park well away from the gateways to enable farm vehicles and stock to be moved freely

 

 

Why Visit The Inland Kaikouras

The Inland Kaikouras provide arguably some of the best climbing opportunities in NZ outside the Mt Cook and Mt Aspiring National Parks. In addition they offer a number of good tramping options and are reasonably accessible for both North Island and South Island parties.

 

Where Are They And How Do You Get There

The Inland Kaikouras lie between the Awatere and Clarence Valleys in Marlborough.

While the mountain range extends for some 40kms, the region of most interest lies in a relatively compact area at the headwaters of the Hodder River.

In this area are:

    Mt Tapuae-o-uenuku 2885m                     Pinnacle 2720                            

    Mt Gladstone 2371m                                   Mitre Peak 2620m                        

    Mt Alarm 2877m                                          Crows Nest 2449m

 

(NB: You will need to gain permission from Allan & Bev Pitts before climbing Mt Gladstone)

 

The maps that cover this area are info map 260 series 029 (Waihopai) and 030 (Awatere).

 

Access to these peaks is via Gladstone Downs, a high country station in the Awatere Valley about one and a half-hours drive from Blenheim, and a comfortable five-hour drive from Christchurch.

To get to Gladstone Downs:  Turn off SH1 4 km north of Seddon, or 21 km south of Blenheim onto  Awatere Valley Road.  Drive  54 km up the Awatere Valley to the Hodder River Bridge. Cross the bridge and park vehicles at the flat area on the left.  Well away from gateways please.The parking area is adjacent to the toilet that has been installed to cater for the increase in visitors to the area. 

 

How Much Experience Is Required 

The route into the Hodder area and the mountains themselves are not a place for the inexperienced. While Tapuae-o-Uenuku itself is not technically demanding, none of the mountains should be taken lightly and some previous tramping, climbing and snow experience is desirable.

 

What Is The Best Time To Visit The Inland Kaikouras

In summer January to March there is little snow and climbing is mostly a rock scramble.  For those that prefer snow conditions the spring, early summer period from September to November is the best time.

 

It is an alpine environment and can snow at any time of the year.  This is a low rainfall area with often very cold winters and very hot summer temperatures, in mid winter the rivers and gorges are very cold and rocks are often ice covered. 

Much of the route up the Hodder is through river gorges that after rain can quickly become impassable.

 

Planning A Trip Up The Hodder

First contact Bev & Alan Pitts, the owners of Gladstone Downs (03 575 7471) to obtain access permission, and to notify intentions details.

 

They are able to advise on local weather conditions, river levels and snow conditions and at any time will know how many other people are expected at the huts.  Demand for hut space can be high on long weekends (eg Easter and Labour Weekend).

 

To register your trip, confirm access across Gladstone Downs, get advice on local weather conditions and for information on river levels and snow conditions; contact Allan and Bev Pitts phone 03 575 7471, fax 03 575 7478

Postal address: Gladstone Downs Private Bag Blenheim.

 

Please remember to:

Enclose a reply paid envelope should you write to Gladstone Downs or MTC with a query that requires an answer.

Use a landline rather than mobile phone contact for returning phone messages. 

 

 

How Many Days Should You Allow For A Trip To The Inland Kaikouras?

Not including travel to and from the start of the track at Gladstone Downs, we recommend you allow four days for your trip. This allows a day for the walk in, a day for climbing, a day for walking out and a reserve day in case of adverse weather.

 

Hodder Huts

The Hodder Huts are owned and administered by the Marlborough Tramping Club to provide a support base for climbing and tramping parties.  They keep the huts well maintained. These are the only huts in the area and are sited on a tussock bench in the upper reaches of the Hodder River at 1440m altitude. Each of the high peaks is within a day’s climbing from the Hodder Huts.

 

The huts, collectively known as the Hodder Huts, consist of the Tararua Hut (6 bunks), built in 1970 and the Murray Adrian Hut built in 1987 accommodating 12 people on 2 sleeping platforms. The huts have mattresses and they are well insulated.  There are no fireplaces.  There is a water tank and toilet.                                                  Please take all rubbish out with you.

 

The Route to the Huts up the Hodder River

The route commences through the property of Gladstone Downs. Start the route through a sign posted gate just along from the parking area and follow a farm track above the true left of the Hodder River. After approximately 45 minutes and having passed the major junction of the Shin and Hodder rivers, an obvious cairn marks the start of a steep track down to the riverbed. You then follow and criss cross the river for the rest of the journey to the huts. The well cairned route passes through a lower gorge; a middle section of open braided flats and then through the more enclosed upper gorge section entered after the junction with Trail Stream (on the true left) is passed.

To avoid an impassable waterfall at 1120m, the route climbs steeply out of a well-cairned terrace on the true right and then sidles through alpine shrub land to return to the riverbed at 1160m.  Immediately cross the Hodder to the true left. Shortly after the first and very welcome sight of the Hodder huts comes into view. 

 

Note that the distance from the car park to the Hodder Huts is about 22kms, ascends 1080 metres in altitude, and can involve over 80 river crossings. As a guide you should allow 6 – 7 hours total time, but those in less of a hurry could take longer.Much of the route up the Hodder is through river gorges that after rain can become impassable.

 

Route from the Huts to the Summit

From the huts follow a well-defined track that sidles across a large scree slope to the confluence of the Hodder River and Staircase Stream. When off the scree, cross the Hodder (below the junction of the Hodder and Staircase rivers ). Follow the cairned route across the riverbed. Start climbing at the tussockup a steep slope. Follow the cairns  up the valley keeping Staircase Stream to your right.After passing a waterfall the large basin between Alarm and Tapi opens up. Keep to the left of this basin, passing an obvious knoll on your right and passing the bluffs on your left. Turn left up a large scree slope to a chute leading to a smaller basin where Tapi can be seen. Then ascending around to the right the saddle between Tapi and Alarm appears. Climb to the saddle then turn left and up the ridge to the summit.

 

Hut Fees

The hut fees are $10.00 per person per night.  These are payable to the Marlborough Tramping Club , To make it easier for hut users to pay fees, reply paid and addressed envelopes are available in each hut, or at Gladstone Downs farmhouse. Post to The SECRETARY, MARLBOROUGH TRAMPING CLUB  P O BOX 787  BLENHEIM  or direct credited to Westpac a/c 03 0599 0283288  00 Please ensure your name and hut fees is noted on the payment. An email advice of payment to the treasurer Carol McKie at carolmckie@hotmail.com  would be appreciated

Please leave the huts clean and tidy after your use.

 

For Further Information: 

Contact Sandra Steingrimsson                               Or               Maurice Kennedy

Ph. 03 577 8558, 0274 828 030,                                                 Ph. 04 970 7154,

Email: steingrimsson@ihug.co.nz                                        Email: kennedym@xtra.co.nz

Hut Maintenance Requirements or problems:

Contact Sandra Steingrimsson as above, Kerry Millard Ph 03 5788836   email: themillards@clear.net.nz  or the  Secretary Marlborough Tramping Club  as above.(email Val Beveridge valnbuck@paradise.net.nz