2815 Travers Sabine (Nelson Lakes)

Adventure week 10th - 16th March 2019

This is a well known tramp of the Nelson Lakes with a few options for extending the scope, depending on the fitness and speed of the party. The plan is to gather in Nelson on the 10th March, shuttling up to St Arnaud for the start on the 11th. And then:

Day 1 (11th March) starts with the shuttle trip to St Arnaud, then a quick water taxi to the top of Lake Rotoiti, then on to John Tait or Cupola Hut.

Day 2 Is uphill to Upper Travers Hut. There is an option to branch off up to the Cupola Hut if we don't get there on day 1. This is set at the bush edge in a rugged mountain valley, for an extra 6km return and 500m climb.

Day 3 is up-and-over the Travers Saddle (1787m), a climb of about 500m altitude (2km walk) into dramatic high tops. Then down and down we go into the East Branch of the Sabine river to West Sabine Hut (~6km total). That doesn’t sound like much of a day so we could then trot off up the Sabine to Blue Lake Hut, approximately 7 km to a fabulous spot and the pristine Blue Lake (no swimming!!).

Day 4 will either be a long 20 km downhill from Blue Lake Hut, or 13 km from West Sabine hut, along the beautiful Sabine River to the Sabine Hut.

Day 5 starts with a grunty uphill climb of 1100m on the Mt Cedric Track to the top of Mt Cedric and on to the Angelus Hut, or not the Angelus hut. This is not only one of the popular places for Kiwi Trampers, but also on the Te Araroa trail – so it will be busy and we will find somewhere nice to camp. Only about 7km but worth camping in the tops.

Day 6 and we are on our way out, along the Robert Ridge about 11km to the carpark and shuttle back to Nelson accommodation, restaurant and bar.

Plan to travel on the 17th.

As noted, this is very popular country and we won’t be alone – bring tents.

There are alternatives and distractions so the final plan may be a little different.

Click map for larger version: