By Chrissy Wickes, Biodiversity Ranger, Te Anau.
I love tramping in winter. If the forecast is good then there is nothing better than a frosty walk to a cosy hut.
Exploring Mount Aspiring National Park
We recently walked up to Aspiring Hut. This is a two and a half hour walk up the beautiful West Matukituki Valley to a hut with grand views of Tititea/Mount Aspiring. Tititea means “glistening peak” and is the tallest mountain in Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park, rising to 3033 metres.
A frosty morning
It is an easy flat walk to get to the hut, following the West Matukituki river and surrounded by mountains. You really do feel like you are in the heart of the mountains yet it is less than 60 kilometres from Wanaka.
The next morning we woke to a kea jumping on the roof. It was a frosty morning so woolly clothes, gloves and hats were needed.
Keeping warm
Check out the DOC website for information on Tititea/Mt Aspiring National Park and other great activities in the area.
