The Wellington Tramping Group

This will be a week-long expedition in the wider Marlborough area. Incorporating a reasonable amount of driving, connecting different tracks and huts in between. There is room for three people in my van. My 2 guests live in the South Island and have their own vehicle. They will come and go as they choose to.
I am booked on the 2am Bluebridge ferry Fri 23 Oct, with a cabin for us to sleep in. Ferry costs will be shared fairly amongst us. If two people then it will be about $372 pp., if three people it will be about $280 pp. Final costs depend on individual fares.

All tramps are designed to be 6 hours or less, and easy/medium in difficulty. I am doing a private trip from Sat 31 Oct onwards. I can drop people off in Blenheim, but will not be returning to Picton at that time.

Itinerary (all times and distances are approx and subject to weather/roadworks/maintenance conditions):
Fri 23 Oct. Off the ferry at Picton, buy fresh food. Drive to Murchison and the end of Matiri West Bank Rd approx 200km 3 hours drive. Tramp into Lake Matiri hut for the night. Easy 2 hour tramp.

Sat 24 Tramp back out to Rd end 2 hrs. Drive 60km to St Arnaud for an early lunch then 10km up Korere Rd Tophouse. Tramp up the Beeby Knob route to Beeby's hut for the night. 1317m 7 kms should take 3 hours exposed no go in bad weather.

Sun 25 Tramp back down to the road. Drive 45 km to end of Leatham Rd. Meet Tina and Kathy. Tramp 7 km into Caves hut for the night

Mon 26 7km to Barber hut for lunch, then 7 km to Bottom Gordons hut for the night. There are 4WD tracks to use. The Leatham River needs to be crossed.

Tues 27 day trip up the valley to Top Leatham hut 16 km return. Return to Bottom Gordons hut for a second night. This will be a good rest day opportunity for anyone feeling a bit tired. Alternatively if the plan is too easy there are other huts/routes in the area open to explore.

Weds 28 19km, 12km day trip Top Gordons hut then pick up packs and tramp 7km (4wd Rd) to Barbers hut for the night

Thurs 29 15km to Boulder Forks for the night.

Fri 30 8km out to car then Blenheim for the night.

This itinerary is a working doc and changes may happen at short notice. Huts may be added and routes changed. the only certain thing is my Bluebridge booking 2am Fri 23 Oct.
The main focus is the many different options in the Leatham Valley and adjourning areas. Do your own research, you are responsible for your own safety.

Leatham Valley food. Have lunch before we start on Sun, and we should be out lunchtime on Fri.
So carry 4 lunches, 5 breakfasts, 5 evening meals, snacks and 1 extra day emergency food.
Take a tent and air mattress in case huts are full, or we don't make a hut.
Have an annual hut pass, or five tickets.

Devon Aircraft crash site on Shingle Slip Knob Tararua. Access is via the Holdsworth Road end. Tramp to Atiwhakatu hut for a quick lunch and energy booster for the steep relentless climb up Rain Gauge Spur to Jumbo Hut and overnight. Sun is a day trip to the Devon crash where two aviators died. There is a cliff to navigate round, then a descent to the knob. Return to Jumbo hut for the second night. Mon we tramp the alpine path to Powell hut for morning tea, then Mountain House for lunch and back to our cars.
You need to book two nights (12 and 13 Dec) at Jumbo Hut straight away. (this hut will fill quickly particularly Sat night). Either use your annual hut pass at no extra cost or pay $29 per night per person. Along with your usual overnight gear, ensure you carry a day pack or similar, suitable for the Sun side trip.
Do your own research, ensure you are capable of a steep climb carrying 3 days supplies. We will travel at a slow steady pace.