Travel Time:
December 27,2005-January 10th, 2006

Peripheral Information:
This time of year is New Zealand's summer and they had an exceptionally dry spring...until we arrived!! Then came rain, wind and finally SNOW below 1300 meters which made going over the Waterfall Face of Rabbit Pass impossible. Once we arrived in Able Tasmen National Park the weather improved and we had 3 spectacular days.
Though our time was short (only 12 days) our team of 6 had an amazing adventure...trekking in one of the most remote regions of the South Island, day hiking around Wanaka and along the Greenstone Trek, and finally exploring Able Tasmen National Park by foot and kayak. We had RAIN, wind, snow, and sun to complete our adventure. vegan trail food, local Pinot Noirs, and an eclectic mix of cuisine off the trail. We stayed in tents, huts, boutique hotels; traveled by boat, helicopter, kayak, plane and van. Lots of card games played and books read!!
January-March. Try to avoid Christmas/New Years as most NZers take off 3-4 weeks at this time...hotels are booked, service can be poor due to the influx of travelers. Feb./March are preferable months due to crowds as well as more stable weather. The Grand Traverse is the longest guided trek in New Zealand. Following the main divide of the South Island this route has exceptional views of the highest peaks, including Mnt. Aspiring

The track winds its way up the valley sidewall under the awesome East face of Mnt. Awful. This is really an Alpine Paradise. The climbing ends at Gillespie Pass and one of the great view points of the Southern Alps, from here the track meanders through the beautiful Siberia Valley and then plunges steeply to the Wilkin River. From here the trek gradually rises until reaching the Top Forks. This area is one of New Zealand’s treasures with outstanding native bush and hanging glaciers. The final challenge... torrents of water pouring of the surrounding cliffs as the trek offers an improbable scramble up the Waterfall Face leads to Rabbit Pass before before heading down the East Matukituki Valley.

This is a unique and challenging trek.

	Reviewed by Kathy Dragon Read all reviews by Kathy Dragon
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