Lochnagar Loop

A five day loop from the Raspberry Creek carpark in the West Matukituki Valley. Day one took me to Aspiring Hut in the West Matukituki valley before heading up to camp in the Cascade Saddle area. Day 2 started with a walk down the upper Dart Valley before turning up toward the head of Snowy Creek. Day 3 was a shorter, but still very interesting day. It began with a trip over a saddle to the high basin above Pine Creek. From there, an intimidating sidle took me to another saddle overlooking Lochnagar, a beautiful lake created by a massive slide. A quick drop down brought me to my favorite hut in New Zealand. Day 4 began with a leisurely morning wandering around this beautiful area. Some time after noon, I forced myself to head out to the Shotover Valley where I turned upstream and made for Tummel Burn Hut. Day 5 took me over Shotover Saddle and back down to the West Matukituki Valley and Raspberry Flat.

The upper reaches of Pine Creek and a look out to the peaks of the Shotover Valley.
From here, the route required a sidle over and up to the saddle in the center of the photo. I sat in this spot for a good while debating whether or not I was up to the task. The threat of imminent rain only made the decision more difficult. In the end, I went for it. While the traverse proved nerve wrecking for sure, I managed to reach my goal without incident.
Looking down Pine Creek to the Shotover from near the Pine-Lochnagar saddle
Lochnagar form Pt 1865
Pt 1780 from Pt 1865. Easy slopes lead down to the right for a ways before it is necessary to sidle toward the lake outlet above the denser scrub. From there, a goat trail can be located on the spur to drop the rest of the way down.
Lochnagar
Lochnagar. The hut is located near the lake outlet, down to the left and out of sight in these photos.
Lochnagar Hut. Probably my favorite in New Zealand.
Inside Lochnagar Hut.
Morning view from my window
A peaceful morning
Lochnagar Morning
Lochnagar reflections
Lochnagar Reflections
Lochnagar Reflections
Lochnagar means Lake of the Goats, so I guess I shouldn't have been all that surprised to see this guy staring at me when I left for my walk this morning.
I'm pretty sure this is an Arapawa goat, an uncommon breed in these parts, and one that I'd never seen until now.
Classic goat pose
One last look at Lochnagar and its namesake hut before making for the Shotover Valley
The slide that formed the lake. The entire top of the mountain slid into the valley, forming a natural dam.
View from the Goatel rock bivvy, a nicely sheltered abode complete with a floor of compact goat droppings.
Lake Creek Cableway
Lake Creek Cableway
Hundred Mile Hut, a private hut in the Shotover Valley.
Comes complete with a nice shade tree!
Heading up the Shotover River. Pt 2308 at center.
Looking downstream from near Pine Creek Flat
Looking downstream to Pine Flat
Tummel Burn Hut and evening light on Mt Repulse
View from Tummel Burn Hut
A look down the abandoned track that leads through the bush en route to Shotover Saddle. Fortunately, by this point, I was well versed in both routefinding and trackfinding in New Zealand and I had little trouble staying on course.
View down the Shotover Valley from near bushline
The route to Shotover Saddle was an exercise in patience to be sure. It began with a bash up to bushline, at which point I was rewarded with a couple more hours of sidling through speargrass (spaniards). As I neared the head of the valley, after a great deal of cursing and general frustration, I happened across these flowers, the only flowers I'd noticed all day. Immediately, everything was ok again and it was all smiles the rest of the way up to the saddle.
The head of Tyndall Creek and Shotover Saddle
View south from Shotover Saddle. Mt Tyndall is shrouded in clouds on the right
Looking down the West Matukituki Valley
Looking up the West Matukituki Valley
Headed out to the carpark. Its green roofs barely can barely be seen in the distance.

Lochnagar Loop

Lochnagar Loop

Thoughts on this gallery