Browning Pass - Southern Alps Crossing

The whole way is sheer mountainous beauty. The huts are notable points of interest. There are 5 huts to inspect and fill in hut books at. Make sure you do this as they help SAR find you if you get lost.

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Park wherever turns you on.

77 km

170 minutes

Unknown

No

Hard.

Up to Browning Pass you follow the river bed. There are some broken walk trails but they are hard to follow. The river is the best bet and your own intuition.
After the pass the track is easy to follow till round the lake and descending the first spur. Further down however the poles are harder to keep track of so keep looking up as if you get off trail you will get very bluffed.
Once down to the Arahura riverbed you follow this until it turns up to the pack track, which is easy to follow untill the end.

Non-existent.

Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Short-sleeved thermal top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions), Gaiters

The streams provide good water the whole way.
The only part to watch is the last 4-5k of the Styx as stock are grazed up there.
There are however side streams pretty much to the road end which are beautiful and clean.

Seasonally I would only attempt this in Summer-Early Autumn as other times of year it could easily turn into an overnighter. There are many river crossings, some over knee deep (my knees that is and I am 195cm tall) at the lowest flows. I know someone ran over all the way from grassy flats nearly to the end and couldn't cross the Styx so had to go all the way back to the hut. Not ideal.

Generally mountainous so the weather is the main hazard. Take care around the tops not to get bluffed and stay on trail. Use common sense on river crossings - remember common sense is not that common!!
A good forecast will make or break your trip.
Also decending off Styx Saddle the pack track has some very slippery rocks - not obvious, when descending rapidly become a lot more dangerous. This descent is also a great place to roll your ankle as you are getting knackered and the track is very uneven. Button off the pace or walk if necessary - it might save you a chopper trip out.

Kokatahi Hotel
Kokatahi
Kokatahi Hotel - Grenville Berry - 03 7758490
I reccomend staying here the night after - Allow 3 days for entire adventure and you wil want at least one support driver to drop you off and pick you up. The hotel is 15k from the end. It is a classic West Coast pub with good back packer type accomodation but also double rooms - one with an ensuite for $90 double! Book in advance and keep in touch with Grenville regarding weather forecast and possible changes. Hes a good bugger!