The Darrans - Fiordland (trip)

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The Darrans - Fiordland

  • Wanaka Airport, New Zealand
  • Active & Adventure
New Zealand, Australia and Pacific

To check availability or book,
contact Wild Walks:

Period offered: January-March. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


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from $4,800* per person7 DaysJanuary-March
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Wild Walks 12 people max
The Darran mountains - remotely located in Fiordland National Park. One of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere. It is an area where snow-capped mountains, rivers of ice, deep lakes, unbroken forests and tussock grasslands produce a landscape of exceptional beauty. Some of the best examples of animals and plants, which were once found on the ancient super-continent of Gondwana, still exist here.

Based at Homer Hut not far from the township of Milford, this location offers an amazing array of objectives. The approach walk into these peaks is well rewarded by amazing views of the range and beautiful steep vistas of the fiords out to the Tasman Sea.

Such is the range of peaks in the Darran Mountains that the summit week could cater for diverse objectives including:

* A week focussed on strong climbers looking to extend their skills by climbing in an alpine setting OR
* For trampers wishing to increase their technical skills and take on the impressive peaks and journeys of the region

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Locations visited/nearby

New Zealand, Australia and Pacific

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Special information

  • This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.

Itinerary

Ascent of Moir's Mate
via the classic Bowen-Allan Corner 8 pitches fine intro to Darran Mountains Diorite Climbing. Grade 17 (or easier climbing via the North Ridge). The approach is close to Homer hut. Travel to the climb, as is common in the Darran Mountains, is very exposed.

Macpherson-Talbot traverse
A skyline traverse of the massif affording panoramic views of the region. Be amazed at the pioneers courage and resilience to find a route through this region to link the Wakatipu with Milford. Start from Homer hut heading to Homer Saddle over the Talbot's ladder to Mt Macpherson. Travel on the ridge above Mcpherson cirque to Talbot. (Mount Talbot also offers climbers some technical routes on the East ridge. A scenic peak atop the Psychopath wall and impressive views into the Gertrude valley)

Continue on to Gertrude saddle and Black lake, quick swim if you are game!

Descend Gertrude saddle Track to hut.

Gertrude Saddle-Barrier Traverse
Another panoramic journey with views towards Lake Adelaide and the amphitheatre of Sabre, Marion and Barrier Knob. Climbers will be drawn to the impressive climbs on Barrier knob and surrounding peaks; Trampers to the impressive terrain before them with possible journeys out to the Hollyford via Moraine Ck.

You will be instructed in the skills to travel in exposed and technical terrain with the use of axes, crampons and roped travel.

Other itineraries are offered in the area such as Mt Sabre which could be combined to the above.

Mt Sabre (2162m) alpine rock ascent
The finest rock peak in the Darran Mountains, Fiordland National Park.

This is a stunning ascent via the north buttress on diorite rock. The toe of the mountain is in alpine greenery.

From Wanaka we drive through the scenic township of Te Anau towards the famous Milford Sounds. We overnight at Homer hut.

An early morning start we depart for Gertrude Saddle, enjoying the views of Milford Sound and the peaks of the Darran range. After arriving at the Saddle and traversing around Barrier Knob, we descend steep ground down Giffords Crack into the stunning Adelaide cirque.

From Lake South America and Lake Adelaide we boulder hop or walk across and up to Phil's Bivvy. A good day's crossing.

An early start takes us up steep grassy slopes to the Yak pastures where we begin. 12 pitches of superb alpine granite grade 16 Alpine Rock. You need to be fit to carry a pack and climb confidently up to grade 18/5.8. From a belay ledge the vistas open out over Barrier Knob, through Adelaide Saddle towards Milford Sound and the sea (also views of the snowy giants, Mt Tutoko and Madeline).

More information from Wild Walks: