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DOC Land
Altitude: 274m to 419m. Gain: 242m. Loss: 121m . Gradient: 2 deg (Gentle)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)
This describes the wet weather route on the south bank. In dry conditions crossing the river will make for an easier tirp.
Head up the airstrip from Fraser Hut, heading upriver. The Landsborough soon undercuts the true left bank, and the DOC triangles plunge cheerfully into the torrent to appear on the far side. I travelled this after 2 days of heavy rain, and crossing was impossible. So we sidle low on the south face: steep slopes, creeper, windfall and bluffs all adding to the fun. The 2km to the beginning of Toetoe flats takes over an hour and is slow, steep, and probably wet going.
Dropping to narrow terraces opposite Toetoe flat, the biv across the river at Toetoe Flat looks in good condition, though the water prohibits any recce’s to investigate further. It's a biodiversity biv and stories differ on whether it is open or locked.
Beyond here things get easier. The southern face of the Landsborough becomes more gentle, and sidling easier. We climb to river terraces on the way to Ford Flat, dropping back to the river later for Kea. Sidling close to the water pick up another marked DOC track above Kea Flat. Just before McKerrow Creek the track swings uphill and away from the Landsborough - bound for Elcho Pass.
Leaving the track drop into McKerrow just above the confluence. On the opposite bank is a good terrace of sparse beech with great, dry flat campspots. Near the river, well above the water and well drained and sheltered.
Though you cross several small creeks that can flood after extreme rain, McKerrow is probably the only one to pose a risk in normal-heavy conditions. This was knee deep and easy 6hrs after the end of 2 days of continuous rain - it seemed to have dropped rapidly.