From Makarora Hut to Brewster Hut via Mt Kaye and Kaye Creek
View
Distance: 8.3 km (8.0 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 697m to 1970m. Gain: 1290m. Loss: 542m . Gradient: 13 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Prolonged scrambles (4/7) - Occasional rivers (3/6)
GPX info source: Drawn on map

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Note: The normal crossing to the Makarora is done north of Mt Kaye by descending very steep permanent snow slopes with an ice axe and crampons. The following is a viable late summer route for those like me who forgot their ice axe descending to the Makarora. Due to very steep loose rock and scree it possibly doesn't work so good for those wanting to cross east to west.

Head up the hill behind the Brewster hut. The most direct way is to climb and then sidle around the head of the Fantail Creek gully. If coming from Mt Armstrong then you should descend a long way westwards down off Armstrong first rather then attempting to follow the ridge line of the Main Divide as there are many rocky bluffs on the west side of the ridge in addition to the east. Eventually gain the Main Divide a short distance north of Mt Kaye to observe the snowfields on the east of the ridge line. Mt Kaye itself is an insignificant bump on the ridge line which is easily crossed. A few hundred meters southeast of Mt Kaye look for scree slopes which descend very steeply to the northeast to the foot of the steep snow coming down from the Main Divide. Drop VERY CAREFULLY down the scree between outcrops of crumbly rock. It's possible to slide/descend right down to the foot of the main snow slopes and then descend much better scree between flatter snow terraces. Eventually reach tallus and rubble below the snow and drop down unnamed Kaye Creek into the lower valley. Follow the creek all the way down to the bush line and enter the bush on the true left. Sidle down to avoid some waterfalls in the creek then enter the creek and follow it down past the large boggy clearing near Point 777 to the Makarora Flats. Cross the Makarora and look for the hut hidden on the south side of a clump of trees.

Last updated by: Yarmoss at 2015-07-09 18:13:49
Comments: Add
You are not currently signed in. Please register to comment