You'll be picked up from your accommodation and will then depart for the Young Valley. If the rivers are high then jet boat access to the start of the track is provided. The Young Valley is a wonderland of dense native forest and high peaks. The trail steepens and climbs steadily to tree line. 650m ascent
The track winds its way up the valley sidewall under the awesome east face of Mount Awful. This is really an alpine paradise. The track climbs steeply alongside a rock bluff onto a snow grass spur that after 3 to 4 hours, leads to the pass. The climbing ends at Gillespie Pass and one of the great view points of the Southern Alps. From here there's an impressive view, with Mount Alba dominating the skyline. After a short downhill you walk through the forest to reach your camp next to Gillespie Stream. 550m ascent 550m descent
It is all down hill today. The track meanders through the beautiful Siberia Valley and then plunges steeply to the Wilkin River where your mountain hut awaits. Here the group is resupplied by jet boat so fresh vegetables are back on the menu! From here on sleeping bags are supplied at the campsites so you no longer need to carry sleeping bag and sleeping mat. 650m descent
Following the Wilkin River the track gradually rises until reaching the Top Forks. This area is one of New Zealand's treasures with outstanding native bush and hanging glaciers. The track alternates between forest and open river flats. Top Forks Hut has a wood burning stove and views that are hard to believe. 300m ascent
Leave your packs behind for a day trip to Lake Castalia. The track is rugged with plenty of stream crossings and boulder scrambling. Some may prefer a shorter day or just a rest day to swim and admire the world class views. 500m ascent 500m descent or a rest day
Note : if the weather forecast is good your guide may decide it is of benefit to head over Rabbit Pass early on this day rather than wait for the next. In this case you may spend an extra day at Pickelhaub or Aspiring Discovery Camp, or you may head out of the Aspiring National Park a day early. The last day would then be a day walk from Wanaka.
An early start gets you up to Waterfall Flat. It is not hard to imagine where it gets its name with torrents of water pouring off the surrounding cliffs. The improbable scramble up the Waterfall Face leads to Rabbit Pass. You will be clipped into a fixed handline for 60 meters to give you confidence on the trickiest part of the route. A long descent through native herb gardens is a magical end to an exhilarating day. Pickelhaub Camp is an expedition type setup with a cook tent, table and chairs with smaller four person tents to sleep in. 900m ascent 650m descent
Waking to the sound of icefalls crashing off the towering Mt Pickelhaub, you have a leisurely breakfast before heading down the East Matukituki Valley. Even with no track the going is easy through this isolated scenic valley. Once you come to the magnificent Bledisloe Gorge the climbing begins again. This is a big climb and many find this more challenging physically than the technical crossing of Rabbit Pass the day before. From open river flats, through ancient forest and up to the alpine, this is a day that has it all. You camp at our incomparable Aspiring Camp. 100m descent 400 ascent
It is the last day of the trek, and we all know what that means, that's right: pancakes, whipped cream and blueberry jam. The trail down to the valley floor winds through tall beech with Mt. Aspiring dominating the view. Gradually the track opens out into farm land just before you meet our waiting transport back to civilization and a hot shower. 500m descent
