Kea Basin
Rees Valley
The Forbes Mountains rising above the Rees Valley
I met these three at the trailhead before setting out this morning. As I was finishing a snack before crossing the Rees near 25 Mile Creek, they came strolling up barefoot, one small day pack between them, no real plan, and not a care in the world. They were the picture of freedom. To this day, any time I find myself too caught up in goals or planning, I remember these cats and the real reason we make our way to places like these.
Mt Earnslaw rises a staggering 2300m from the floor of the Rees Valley.
Lennox Falls
Earnslaw Hut is located just below the entrance to Kea Basin
Inside Earnslaw Hut
Kea Basin Rock Bivvy
Plenty of room for the little blue tent, ideal for me given my lack of bivvy gear
View out from the bivvy
The rock bivvy came complete with a lawn chair. Made for a nice, comfortable dinner.
A nice look to the northeast
A look into the north branch of Hunter Creek
The giant cairn at 1700m. The Forbes Mountains on the immediate skyline and Mt Aspiring rising up on the far right.
Panorama from near 1700m. I had plans to traverse north for a good look at the whole of the Hunter Creek drainage, but the threat of weather turned me around here.
Another look up at Mt Earnslaw. The entire mountainside was full of bluffs and waterfalls.
25 Mile Hut
Lisa He
on April 21, 2019Hi Pete! Great photos :) We are considering going up Kea Basin as well and had a few questions for you. Are the two photos above with the captions "A nice look to the northeast" and "A look into the north branch of Hunter Creek" taken from Kea Basin or higher up? And was there an obvious trail to 1700m or did you have a guidebook and how long did it take you to reach that 1700m from the Biv? Thank you!
Wayne Daglish
on September 23, 2016great work, looking forward to more of yr trip reports. Love the plastic chair at Kea Rock Bivvy. Totally magnificent and majestic mountain views. Rees Valley reminded me of tramps too long ago. Thx for sharing