by Tony » Thu 08 Dec, 2011 1:43 pm
Hi Wayno,
We met some trampers that could only book Routeburn Flats hut as the main hut was booked out, Doc's would not let them go unless they pre-purchased a helicopter ticket $80, we also where told that the ride was 45-60 second long, we also heard that some refused the helicopter ride and walked the section.
We wanted to do the Cascade Saddle while we were up near the Dart Glacier but the forecast was for a front to come through mid afternoon so as we were doing the Rees Saddle the next day we decided to save our energy and leave Cascade Saddle for next time, as it was, the front did not arrive until the middle of the next day when we were on top of Rees Saddle, made for an interesting decent down into the Rees Valley.
I can understand DOC's being so careful, in the Dart hut there is an article on the Routeburn Track, while the jurno was interviewing a hut warden there was a knock on the door, when the warden answered, standing there was a lycra clad woman with expensive running shoes, it was raining hard and it was cold, she did not have a rain jacket or any rain protection at all, she actually did not have much gear or food either, she asked the warden if he thought it was safe to go to end of the track, he said no and to wait, she replied, I have to catch a bus and went anyway.
Tony
There is no such thing as bad weather.....only bad clothing. Norwegian Proverb