NSTC Christmas Tramp 2025/26
Mt Somers
Introduction
The Christmas tramp this year will follow the same format as previous years. The dates are 27th December 2025 to 4th January 2026, and we will assemble at or before 11 am on the 27th at Christchurch Airport.
Home party at this stage will consist of 12 members & two out parties will consist of 6 members each. (24)
We will conclude with a group feast at Stronechrubie Restaurant (own cost) on the evening of 3 January and return to Christchurch Airport on the morning of 4 January. Allow about 2 hours for the drive from Mt Somers to the Airport. Don't book for an early flight.
Tramping will be the Craigieburn and Hakatere Conservation areas. These are areas not known to most club members and provide us with a diversity of options for both Home and Out parties.
The Craigieburn Forest Park extends from Waimakariri River to the Wilberforce River-with braided rivers, beech valleys, tussock grasslands, alpine screes and rugged mountain peaks topping 2300 meters.
Hakatere Conservation Park, in mid Canterbury, is centred around the Ashburton Lakes District between the mighty Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers. It covers nearly 60,000 hectares of rugged mountain country, tussock lands, beech forest and sparkling clear rivers.
Mt Somers (Mt Somers Holiday Park) will be our base for the duration of the expedition, a 1.5-hour drive from Christchurch Airport. Both Out parties will be required to have a minimum of Medium/Fit Fitness standards for these tramps, as some tramps will require off-track travel, river crossings, and navigation skills, and may involve travel of five and up to nine hours daily. You also will be required to carry tents for the duration of all the tramps (we will endure to book huts as practical where we can, but there will be no guarantees at this stage of planning). It is envisaged that the Out Parties will consist of 12 people total and splitting for the first section of the Craigieburn area - Stage 1 (2 x Out Parties of 6) , then combining into one party if practical for the Hakatere area - Stage 2.
If you require extra accommodation at Mt Somers Holiday Park due to weather events or shortened tramps, there will be an extra charge from the final quoted price.
Trip Grading: https://www.nstc.org.nz/useful-info
Detailed Itineraries
HOME PARTY E/M (Easy/Medium Fitness) Limit 12
Leader: Peter Wortman
Note - Tents/mattresses/cooking equipment are to be carried for the Home Party Two Day Trip options. Huts are basic bivvies - bunks/mattresses only - first in/ first served. Not bookable.
Day Walks:
Mt Somers Track Brochure
- Mt Somers Summit. (1687m). Up & back from Sharplin Carpark. Full day.
- Mt Somers- Woolshed Creek. 3-hour circuit. 5 km.
- Mt Somers -Pinnacles Hut. 3 hours. 5.2km.
- Lake Heron-Double Hut Track. 20km in and out tramp to Double Hut.
- Lake Heron- walk around the Lake. 15km. Need two parties to swap van.
- Mt Barrosa Summit. 1364. Up & back. Off Ashburton Gorge Road.
- Potts River-Mystery Lake-Lake Clearwater. Full day 20km.
- Mt Alford Summit 1171m. About 6 hours return.
- Lake Emma. Walk around the Lake. 10km.
- Lake Clearwater. Walk around the Lake. 12km.
- Lake Clearwater. Walk around Lake & climb Mt Guy (1319m). Full day.
- Rakaia Gorge Walkway. Gentle 3-hour circuit.
- Lake Coleridge walks. Lake Lilian 6 hours, Peak Hill 3-4 hours (great views), Kaka Hill Walk 3-4 hours & need to relocate the van. One of these trips could be done by the party picking up the TA Party on day 3.
Two Day Trips:
Hakatere Conservation Park Brochure
· Hakatere/Bucks Bridge/Boundary Creek Hut/ Lake Clearwater.
· Stour Track from Barrosa to Manuka Hut and out to Lake Clearwater.
· Cameron Hut. Start near Lake Heron. 15.6km tramp in & out to Hut.
OUT PARTIES
Craigieburn Forest
OP1 & OP2 : M/F (Medium /Fit): Up to 8 hours per day, and pace faster than Medium grade. Off track and above bush line travel to be expected. Varied and challenging terrain. Experience and a high level of fitness and stamina necessary. All members of the out parties should be equipped with tents.
Registrants required to have completed a River Crossing Course
Out Party 1 - Stage 1 Limit 6
Topo maps BV20, BV21, BW20
Leader: TBA
Cass – Lagoon Saddle Craigieburn Forest
27th December: Cass Hut,
Starting from the signposted carpark at the east end of Cass Road bridge, opposite Cass settlement, SH73. We initially follow a 4-wheel drive for about 1.5k and depart on to the track which follows the Cass River crossing it several times and climbs gradually before we camp at or near Cass hut. 3 Bunks, about 3-4 hrs.
28th December: West Harper Hut,
From the camp head up over the Cass Saddle and past Hamilton hut to the confluence of the Hamilton creek and the Harper River, head in a northerly direction along the Harper River passing several swimming holes along the way to West Harper hut. 5 canvas bunks, about 5 hours.
29th December: West Harper Hut to Road end,
West Harper Hut we carry on in a northerly direction bagging Lagoon Saddle Hut, A Frame Hut, and Bealey Hut, and out to the van at Cora Lynn Road. About 5 hours. drive to Harper Road at the top of Lake Coleridge & pick up Out Party 2 before driving back to Mt Somers Holiday Park for the night.
Out Party 2 - Stage 1 Limit 6
Leader: TBA
27th December: Lagoon Saddle Hut, A Frame Hut,
Starting from Cora Lynn Road on the Waimakariri River we follow the TA trail through the Craigieburn Forest, first passing Bealey Hut and then initially an easy to moderate climb to Lagoon saddle (2 bunks) and A Frame Hut (2 bunks) to camp the night. About 3 hours.
28th December: Hamilton Hut,
We follow the Harper River passing several swimming holes along the way to Hamilton Hut. 20 bunks bookable about 5 hours.
29th December: Hamilton Hut to Road end,
From Hamilton Hut we head to the Pinnacles for a short side trip and out to Harper Road at the top of Lake Coleridge about 5 - 6 hours and wait for pickup from Out Party 1 and drive back to Mt Somers for the night.
Hakatere Conservation area
Topo maps BX18, BX19, BW18, BW19
OUT PARTIES COMBINED - STAGE 2 M/F (Medium/Fit)
Leader: Chris Peard
30th December: Boundary Creek Hut, From the Hakatere Potts Road carpark by the Potts River, take the TA trail heading past Lake Clearwater after about 10 kilometres head up the Mystery Lake track, Mystery Lake Link track, and onto the Potts Hut Track towards Boundary Creek Hut for the night. 8 bunks, about 6-7 hours 20km.
31st December: Potts Hut, from Boundary Creek Hut we retrace our footsteps back along to the Potts Hut track to the intersection of the Mystery Lake Link track and continue along the Potts Hut track over the Dogs Range to Potts hut for the night. 10 bunks, about 15km 5–6 hours.
1st January: Top Hut, from Potts Hut we go off-track, over the Big Hill Range heading briefly upstream from Potts hut on scrubby flats and climb the 1st spur north of the 1st side creek above the hut. This will lead us onto a broad saddle east of pt1319. Head north over the saddle and, avoiding dropping into the gorged valley beyond, sidle upriver on gentle terraces / slopes around the 1200m contour. Once the gorge ends, drop onto the valley floor and follow the tussock / scree valley floor upriver. At the forks, take the middle fork (NE) to reach the saddle with Stumpy Stream after a 1km scramble up stable scree.
A short scree run takes you into the head of Stumpy Stream, which can be followed all the way to the South Branch Ashburton River - visible below. Top Hut is out of sight behind a small terrace 1km downstream. 10 bunks, about 10km 5-6 hours.
2nd January: Cameron Hut, we head off track again over The Wiled Mans Brother Range, crossing over the Southern Ashburton River we climb a spur up loose scree up to a pass at pt1432 from here we descend over more scree and vegetation that will be scrubby in places, a little over 3km we will dissect the roughly marked Cameron Hut track, taking us up to the hut situated in the Arrowsmith Range. 9 bunks, about 10km 5-6 hours.
3rd January: Cameron Hut to Road end, from the Hut we retrace our steps head down the track following the Cameron River passing the private Highland Home hut, before eventually coming to a 4-wheel drive track to take us to the road end to return to Mt Somers Holiday Park. About 15.5 km 5 hours.
A non-refundable deposit of $100 must be paid by 31 July and the balance by 31 October. For cancellations after 31 October, trip costs will be refunded only if a replacement takes up the place.
Booking
Booking will be available with effect from 9 am on Saturday 12 July – online only on our website, no texts or emails. Only paid-up members of the club are eligible to participate, and applications will be approved in order of receipt but only if the applicant is considered to have an appropriate level of physical fitness and experience. In the event of over-booking, unsuccessful applicants will be waitlisted and allocated to a trip if there are any cancellations.
N.B: Before booking your air tickets please ensure your Registration has been approved by the Club’s Health & Safety Officer.
Notes Applicable to All Groups
It goes without saying that all trips are subject to weather conditions. Trip leaders should have a plan B in case inclement weather makes the original plan impractical.
All members of the Out Parties should be equipped with tents.
For the minivans we have to provide our own drivers. An ordinary Class 1 driving license is sufficient, no need for passenger endorsement.
Please indicate to the Trip Organisers if you are willing to be a driver.
- Prices are current but maybe subject to change depending on final trip and room allocations.
- Final trip routes subject to change depending on weather, track conditions and logistics requirements.
- Successful applicants will be required to pay a deposit of $100 on receipt of Invoice with the balance on or before 31 October.
- Refunds for cancellations are subject to the usual Club rules.
