Richmond Ranges Alpine Route | Tramping (Hiking) Video Series | New Zealand

Mount Richmond Forest Park covers the northern end of the Southern Alps and provides a geologically unique panoramic backdrop for the top of the South Island. It is home to numerous multi-day tramping trips as well as Te Araroa Trail, which runs the length of the park. Isolation, rough terrain and variable weather makes this one of the toughest sections of Te Araroa to undertake. Like the rest of the Southern Alps, there are many hazards to consider, but experienced and well-prepared trampers will be greatly rewarded on the Alpine Route. This video covers only the Alpine Route section of the Richmond Ranges, which starts at Hackett Hut and ends four to five days later at Mid Wairoa Hut. It should only be attempted by highly skilled and experienced trampers. There are multiple tracks that can bring you to the start of the Alpine Route. At a minimum, it will take at least a day to reach. Te Araroa walkers will have tramped for a few days to reach this point. Mid Wairoa Hut marks the end of the Alpine Route, but civilisation is still at least a day of tramping away. Te Araroa walkers should keep in mind that this is only one part of a massive section through the Richmond Ranges and there is still a further 56 kilometres of walking until you reach St Arnott. The best time of year to attempt this route is from November through April. It is possible to attempt outside of this period, but ice, snow and fog are more likely to be present, so advanced winter tramping equipment and experience will be required. The average daily summer temperature sits around 6 to 13 degrees, although much hotter days are common. You can also expect approximately 116 days of rain per year. It's important to remember that most of your time will be spent in an alpine environment, which means there's a good chance you'll experience heavy rain, strong winds, snow and freezing temperatures, even in the height of summer. Prepare for all conditions by taking warm and waterproof clothing as well as a good pair of tramping boots. You will be away from civilisation for multiple days and your trip could easily be extended due to weather, injury or just general exhaustion. It's best to pack a distress beacon just in case. Water sources are scarce and the hut tanks can run empty during summer. Take at least 3 litres of water carrying capacity and pack some water treatment options as well. The huts are small and fill up fast, so take a tent, which can also be used as an emergency shelter. Also pack enough food for an extra day or two. As with all walks and tramps in New Zealand, make sure you leave your intentions with a trusted contact and inform them when you've finished your tramp. You can do this on our Plan My Walk app. It takes the guesswork out of trip planning by bringing together the information you need. It's packed with heaps of useful features to help you create a trip plan to share with others. Download the app or check out planmywalk.nz. There is no set itinerary for the Alpine route and it can be walked in either direction. There are 7 huts located on the track, but it will be your schedule, pace and the weather that determines which huts you sleep in. Be flexible in your planning and prepare for delays. For the purposes of this video, we will be showing a southbound trip starting at Hackett Hut. Transport will need to be organised for both your entry and exit points as they are still quite remote. The Hackett Road end is the last exit point to Civilisation for some time. Te Araroa walkers should make sure that they are well supplied for at least another 7 to 9 days before continuing. Your next resupply point may not be until St Arnott. The track from Hackett Hut climbs 900m over 6km to get to Starvel Hut. There are numerous creek crossings along the way, which could be fatal when water levels rise. Make an informed decision at Hackett Hut with your knowledge of the weather forecast and don't venture any further if there has been heavy or consistent rainfall. Starvel Hut sits on the bushline and takes about 4 hours of climbing to reach. Have a break, refill your water and look around to see if any bad weather is coming your way. It's only 2.5 hours to Slaty Hut from here, but the track climbs up and over Mount Starvel, which leaves you exposed to the elements. A night at Starvel Hut may be the better option if weather conditions aren't ideal. From Mount Starvel, the track descends back into the bush and follows the ridgeline all the way to Slaty Hut. See how you are tracking in your day and what the weather is doing. Slaty Hut is a special place to spend the night. If it's getting late, it may be best to call it a day here. Old Man Hut is 10km and approximately 5 hours of further walking. Most of this will be spent above the bushline, where you are exposed to everything the weather can throw at you. If the weather is terrible, consider staying longer at Slaty Hut. The ridgeline can be narrow and is frequently hit with high winds and fog, especially after Ada Flat, where the track has a steep drop-off on both sides. Low visibility makes it hard to navigate this section and you can easily follow a false track. Take your time and keep to the marked poles to stay on the right path. The ridgeline that comes after the Old Man Summit doesn't look like much on paper, but the track becomes even more narrow and some scrambling will be required. Take your time and choose your steps carefully. This is not a fun spot to be in during high winds or rain. Old Man Hut is a beautiful spot accessed from a side track off the main route. It's a steep 200m drop in elevation to get there, but this is well worth it if you're planning on spending the night or if you're low on water. Use the track junction to the hut as a decision-making point. Rintol Hut is at least another five hours from here and this will be the hardest section of the Alpine route as there are two mountains standing in your way. Look at the weather, how much time you have left in the day and how you and your group are doing. The Rintol Mountains should not be rushed, attempted in bad weather or if you are low on energy. It might be better to rest up at Old Man Hut and get an early start the next morning. Keep in mind that Old Man Hut will be your last source of water for some time. The next section starts with a 350m climb up the side of Little Rintol. This will be a 550m climb if you're starting from Old Man Hut. Assess the weather again when you reach the bushline. High winds and low visibility can be a serious hazard from this point forward and the track is mostly made up of unstable rock. The summit of Little Rintol can offer some impressive views on a fine day, but be extra cautious as you follow the track past the summit. It gets quite narrow with a steep drop-off on the southern side. The track quickly descends 250m onto a saddle that connects the two mountains. This descent is steep and the loose rock makes it easy to fall over. The saddle also has moments that require a bit of scrambling over steep drop-offs. Just take your time through this whole section and be sure-footed with every step. Snow and may be present here during the shoulder months, so it's best not to attempt the Rintols unless you have the correct winter tramping skills and equipment. The fun isn't over though. You now have a 300m climb up to the summit of Mount Rintol. This can be punishing on a hot day, but the views of Nelson at the top are well worth it. Low visibility can be a problem up here, but following the track marker poles will lead you the right way. The descent down from the mountain is one big scree slope that will bring you very quickly into the bushline. Gaiters and boots are well worth their weight in gold here. Just take your time and enjoy the ride down the mountain. Mount Rintol Hut sits 200m below the bushline and will be a very welcome sight. Have a break and use the hut as a decision-making point. Tarn Hut is another 8km or 4.5 hours away. Assess the weather and how your group is doing, and then make an informed decision to continue on or stay the night at Mount Rintol Hut. The next section of track follows the ridgeline and is mostly under the cover of bush. There is a small section that brings you out onto the tops again as you walk around the summit of Purple Top. In poor visibility, you'll need to keep a careful eye on the track markers. If it's clear, this is a good opportunity to have a peek at what weather may be coming. You'll then descend into the bushline again for the rest of the day. The aptly named Tarn Hut is located slightly off track. You just need to follow the marked signs if you need to stop off there for the night or refill your water. The next stop is Mid Wairoa Hut, which is about 6.5km or 4 hours away. There are two ways to go from this point. If you head north, the track will take you to the end of the alpine route, and you will exit at the Wairoa Gorge Mountain Bike Park. There will be a few creek crossings to perform, and these can be impassable in poor weather, so be prepared to wait for water levels to drop if there is significant rain. The other option is to head south towards the Red Hills. This is the continuation of Te Araroa Trail. From Mid Wairoa Hut to St Arnard, you can expect similar challenges and conditions to what you'll find on the alpine route, with the added challenge of larger and more serious river crossings. These have caused multiple search and rescues and fatalities in the past, so they aren't to be taken lightly. You'll need to be prepared with river crossing skills and extra supplies to wait things out should you get stranded due to high river flow. Chances are you'll have an extended period without an updated weather forecast no matter what direction you're travelling, so be prepared for anything, and expect tired but well-tested legs at the end. The alpine route is no ordinary tramp, and there are lots of things to consider before you go and while you're on the track. Be adequately prepared by aiming to tramp between November and April. Expect multiple creek and river crossings. Avoid crossing in heavy rain and prepare to wait it out. Pack your own tent. The huts are small and fill up quick, and it can serve as an emergency shelter. Be prepared for long days, gruelling climbs, delays and limited water. This is far from a beginner tramp. Take a distress beacon and leave your intentions in the hut books along the way. If you plan for the worst, then you can safely enjoy the best of the Richmond Ranges.