Travers-Sabine Circuit, March 2018: Days 1-4

Trekking the Travers-Sabine Circuit, Nelson Lakes NP

Earlier in the month I was up at Nelson Lakes National Park walking the Travers-Sabine Circuit. My original plan was to include a trip to Lake Angelus Hut in the trip but unfortunately bad weather on Robert Ridge made this impossible.

Jon on Travers Saddle

What I did instead was to walk the circuit in an anti clockwise direction, starting at Mt Robert car park I walked to Speargrass Hut and from there up the Sabine Valley. This is not the usual way to walk the circuit but at least it gave me the opportunity to climb up to Travers Saddle from the Sabine Valley side.

Mt Travers and Travers Saddle, March 2018

Day one: Mt Robert car-park to Speargrass Hut

This trip actually started at the general store in St Arnaud. I had previously arranged to be collected by Nelson Lakes Shuttles from outside the store. They have a regular service to the Mt Robert car-park over the summer, bookings are essential.

The St Arnaud General Store, Nelson Lakes NP

A busy Mt Robert car park, Nelson Lakes NP

My original plan was to follow the route along Robert Ridge to Angelus Hut, unfortunately the ridge  was covered in drizzly cloud. My alternate idea was to go to Speargrass Hut for the night and then visit Lake Angelus using the Speargrass Creek Route. 

To that end I headed off along the Speargrass Hut track.

Lake Rotoiti from the Robert Ridge car park

Track sign at Mt Robert car park

Start of the Speargrass track at Mt Robert car park

The Speargrass Hut Track heads off to the right of the track sign at Mt Robert car park, it is about 8 km's or 2.5-3 hours away. I have previously been down the track in 2016 when I did my Nelson Lakes base camp trip.

Map: Mt Robert car park to Speargrass Hut

Heading down towards Speargrass Creek, Speargrass Track

Side stream on the Speargrass Track

After sidling down through the forest for an hour you get to Speargrass Creek, the track follows the creek for about the next half hour before once more sidling through the forest as you climb to the clearing where Speargrass Hut sits.

Howard/Speargrass Creek from the Speargrass Hut Track

There is a river crossing about 15 minutes past the point where you see the river, there is an alternate flood track but as the river was low I used the crossing instead.

Watch this crossing point as the river can quickly rise if there is any rain in the surrounding area. Also be aware it is a lot narrower, faster and deeper on the uphill side of this crossing just past the boulders.

The river crossing,point on the Speargrass Track, flood track to left

Last view of Speargrass Creek for a while

Jon Moake on the Speargrass Track

There are some interesting mini gravel pinnacles about 2 hours along the track, these are caused by erosion exposing the underlying gravel.I would imagine the gravel comes from rock fall debris blocking the valley at some point in the past

Some small pinnacles along the Speargrass Track

My Osprey Volt 75 along the Speargrass Track

Jon Moake resting while on the Speargrass Track

You can tell when you are getting closer to the hut because the quality of the track radically improves.

About 30 minutes from Speargrass Hut, on the Speargrass Track

There is a serious wasp infestation in the Nelson Lakes NP so there were a lot of wasp poison stations scattered along the tracks. DOC use both chemical and biological agents to control wasps in New Zealand, to mixed levels of success.

A wasp poison trap along the Speargrass Track

There is a short section of board walk about 10 minutes from the hut, when you strike this you know you are close to your home for the night. There is a view of the grassland Speargrass Hut occupies just at the end of the board walk.

Board walk along the Speargrass Track, there are several stretches of this

First view of the tussock clearing around Speargrass Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

Bridge over Speargrass Creek, Speargrass Track near the hut

Speargrass Creek from the bridge

The track to Lake Angelus follows the course of Speargrass Creek before climbing to the top of  Robert Ridge. Be aware if thinking of using this route..it is rough and requires multiple crossings of Speargrass Creek...it is not an easy option.

Junction of the Speargrass Track and the Speargrass-Angelus Route

Finally after about 3 hours Speargrass Hut hove into view, it is a very nice hut situated in the middle of an extensive tussock field at around 1100 meters. The hut is built on stilts as the whole area is swampy and hence very wet. 

Speargrass Hut in its tussock clearing, Nelson Lakes National Park

The large tussock clearing surrounding Speargrass Hut

Speargrass Hut with the Robert Ridge in the background

The veranda at Speargrass Hut

Speargrass Hut: the cooking benches and seating area

DOC sign for Speargrass Hut

I recently brought myself a new lightweight Macpac down jacket for my trips. It is awesome...really warm, only 280gms and packs into a bag the size of a soda can. I got it for only $75, down from $180 in a recent sale. 

My pit set out in Speargrass Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

Slightly gruesome object d'arte on the wall of Speargrass Hut....I quite like the festive nature of it!

Colourful decoration inside Speargrass Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

View towards Speargrass Creek from Speargrass Hut

Closer (clear) view of Speargrass Hut and the Robert Ridge Route to Lake Angelus, early evening

The hut was nearly full that evening with people trickling in from all three directions over the course of the night. The hut is well insulated....it was warm, even though there was rain over night we did not need to light the fire at all. 

A trio of Israeli trampers tried to teach me some dice game popular with the backpacking tourists at the moment but the rules were beyond me....

Day two: Speargrass Hut to Sabine Hut/Lake Rotoroa

I talked to a German guy the previous night who had come down the Speargrass Creek Route in the  afternoon. He had a hard time getting down the track as the creek was still swollen from recent rain and the track was very overgrown.

Map: The Speargrass Creek Route to Lake Angelus

When I woke up the next day to drizzle and cloud on the tops I decided to forgo my trip to Lake Angelus and instead head for Sabine Hut. I believe that discretion is the better part of valour. The top part of this track requires you to walk along Robert Ridge for a while...I just didn't like the poor safety factors.

Cloud obscures Robert Ridge and the upper reaches of Speargrass Valley

Start of the Sabine Track near Speargrass Hut

The start of the track to Sabine Hut is a gradual climb up to Howard Saddle, this end of the track was in good condition but it rapidly deteriorated the further away from the hut I got. 

Map: Speargrass Hut to Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

Climbing up to Howard Saddle on the Sabine Track

There is a lot of windfall up on Howard Saddle, I only realised later that I didn't take any photos mainly because I was so busy climbing over, under and around numerous fallen trees. There was a 1 km section that took me nearly an hour to navigate around it was that extensive.

Descending from Howard Saddle, Sabine Track

There is a section of board walk about 1 kilometre in length, after this the track sidles around the base of Mt Cedric for about an hour and a half. From the board walk you can see down to the farmland around the St Arnaud - Kawatiri Highway about 13 or so kilometres away.

Start of the extensive boardwalk, Sabine Track

Limited view towards Kahurangi NP from near Howard Saddle

Farmland along St Arnaud - Kawatiri Highway, from near Howard Saddle

There are three larger side streams to cross on this track one had a bridge but the bridges over the other two have been washed away. One of the washed away bridges had pier supports 3-4 meters above the creek level so some significant water must hurtle down these in a big rain storm. 

Watch these streams if it is raining....

One of the larger streams, Sabine Track

Playing 'Where's track...?" on the Speargrass Hut to Sabine Hut Track

There is a lot of bird life in the forest along the track, I saw or heard numerous fantails, bush robins, tui and bell birds. I also spooked a deer at one point...all I saw was his rapidly retreating rear....

Native fantail along the Sabine Track

Another shot of the Fantail, Sabine Track

Bridge over Cedric Stream, Speargrass-Sabine Track

Goblin forest along the Speargras-Sabine Track

Jon tramping on the Sabine Track

You do see some curious things in the bush...here is a beech tree growing in 2-3 inches of soil atop a large boulder near Cedric Stream. The tree was quite tall so I'm surprised there is enough soil to support it...

Beech tree growing from rock, Sabine Track

Beech tree growing atop a boulder, Sabine Track

There are plenty of creeks and side streams to resupply water from along the track, Cedric Creek is the last one I used. Generally the water quality in Nelson Lakes NP is good but filtering or treating your water is probably a good idea.

Jon having a snack/water stop along the Sabine Track, Nelson Lakes NP

There are a series of tarns just before you start the descent to Lake Rotoroa, the water level in all of them was low due to the especially warm, dry weather we had this summer.

Alpine tarn on the Speargrass-Sabine Track

Another tarn along the Speargrass-Sabine Track

Goblin forest near the Tarns, Speargrass-Sabine Track

Board walk leading down towards Lake Rotoroa, Sabine Track

The track from the tarns to Lake Rotoroa is complete shite..there is no denying the point. I think it has been re routed due to storm damage but it was extremely overgrown, covered in dense windfall, steep and very poorly marked. I'm not the only one to say so, there were numerous comments in both the Speargrass and Sabine Hut intentions book stating the same thing.

The section of poor track on the last part of the Speargrass-Sabine Track

 I think it is actually dangerous because a lot of newbie trampers and tourists walk the Travers Sabine Circuit. I fell over three times and got lost six times in the space of 2 km's but at least I have the experience to interpret where the track should be going. The regrowth was DENSE!!!!!

If I had had been carrying a set of shears I would have spent a couple of hours re-cutting the bastid.

Terrible stretch of non track, descending to Lake Rotoroa, Sabine Track

First view of Lake Rotoroa from the Speargrass-Sabine Track

Another episode of 'Where's track....?" along the Speargrass-Sabine Track

That last shite section of track took me about 1.5 hours to cover but eventually I made it down to the edge of Lake Rotoroa and my first proper view of the other large lake in Nelson Lakes National Park.

Lake Rotoroa, Nelson Lakes NP

Nice track for a change approaching Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

I got to Sabine Hut after 6 hours on the track including a 30 minute lunch break. I thought that was quite good going considering how poor the track is. I was really happy to see the hut at last that's for sure.

Sabine Hut is very nice, it is a newer hut and in a nice location but the sandflies are murderous. 

Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

DOC sign, Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP: inside showing the cooking benches, wood burner

After claiming a bunk and a downing a brew I went and had a swim in the lake, it was absolutely beautiful. I would estimate the water was at least 21 degrees maybe warmer...I have never had such a enjoyable swim in an alpine lake before. 

By the time I got out there were about 10 trampers swimming around the jetty...thankfully no monster eels to be seen!

Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP: view of Lake Rotoroa from veranda

Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP: the seating

Lake Rotoroa from near the Sabine Hut Jetty

The hut was 3/4 full that night: there were trampers coming in from Angelus Hut, West Sabine Hut, the D'Urville Valley and Speargrass Hut. I spent a lovely evening talking to a couple from Australia as well as several Te Araroa hikers who were going to St Arnaud via the Sabine Valley. 

It rained heavily overnight but thankfully had finished before I set out the next day.

Day three: Sabine Hut to West Sabine Hut

  I was up and out of the hut by 7.30 the next morning, I had heard from one of the TA hikers that West Sabine Hut was often busy so wanted to get there in the early afternoon so I had a bunk for the night. 

The forest was wet from the rain the previous night but it was warm and dry enough that I didn't need to wear my jacket.

Start of the track up the Sabine Valley

Nice track conditions on the Sabine Valley Track

Map: Sabine Hut to the mid Sabine Valley

Sabine Valley Track: waking along the river flats near the mouth of the river

The first section of the Sabine Valley Track is along the river flats at the mouth of the river. After crossing the Sabine River bridge at the gorge you climb up and over a ridge before descending to easier travel along the banks of the Sabine River. 

First view of the Sabine River from the Sabine Valley Track

A small cascade along the Sabine Valley Track

I broke my Leki trekking pole in two just before the Sabine River bridge, I made an expedient pole from a branch I found next to the track. It was real trooper and lasted all the way to Upper Travers Hut the next day. 

My Leki pole when I went up the East Hawdon way back in 2013

I was a bit sad as that Leki pole had accompanied me on all my tramping adventures since 2010...so long buddy you did some fine work over the years.

The bridge over the Sabine River at the Sabine Gorge

I hear that some complete idjiots like to jump off the Sabine bridge into the deep pool underneath it. It is certainly deep enough to do so but I bet the water is goddamn cold!

Not me thanks all the same...

Deep super clear water in the Sabine River (idiots jump off the bridge here sometimes)

Just past the bridge is the track to the D'Urville Valley, I have had this on my 'to do' list for years now, I think I see a trip to these regions somewhere in my future....

Sabine Valley Track-D'Urville Track junction, Nelson Lakes NP

Climbing up and over the high ground at the Sabine Gorge

Once past the Sabine gorge you are walking along or within sight of the Sabine River for the rest of the day. The Sabine Valley is quite different from the Travers Valley, it is narrow with high peaks on both sides. 

The sound of the river dominates the whole way along the track as there are a number of rapids and cascades along its course.

River flats on the lower Sabine River

Foggy conditions in the Sabine Valley, Sabine Valley Track

General state of the Sabine Valley Track, about 3 hours from Sabine Hut

Beech forest on the river flats along the mid reaches of the Sabine Valley Track

There is an interesting set of rapids about 2 hours up the valley, the river changes course and flows sideways over what looks like avalanche debris. It is really loud and also very misty in the vicinity.

Shallow rapids in the Sabine River, Sabine Valley Track

Map: Mid Sabine Valley to West Sabine Hut

Photo of the mid reaches of the Sabine Valley from the Sabine Valley Track

One of several avalanche advisories in the Sabine Valley

Nice section of sidle track, Sabine Valley Track

After about 4 hours you can see the spur above West Sabine Hut...it is still at least an hour from here to the hut but it is good to know you are closing in on your destination. The spur also marks the confluence of the Sabine and East Sabine river valleys. 

I could also see an occasional view of Mt Travers as it hove in and out of view through the clouds.That was my destination for the following day and marked the point where you climb up and over Travers Saddle....it looked like a long way up!

Upper Sabine River...West Sabine Hut is at the foot of the spur in mid photo

Sabine Valley Track: open forest near the East Sabine-Sabine River confluence

Sabine-East Sabine confluence from the Sabine Valley Track

In the goblin forest approaching West Sabine Hut

Finally after just over five hours West Sabine Hut came into view on the opposite side of the river. The bridge to the hut is another 500 metres up river, I say this because the topographic map shows the location of the old bridge which was washed away several years ago. 

Just stay on the track and you will eventually reach the obvious bridge.

First view of West Sabine Hut from the Sabine Valley Track

The swing bridge to West Sabine Hut over the Sabine River

I got to West Sabine hut at 1.30 pm so that was nearly six hours after setting out from Sabine Hut. That's not bad going really as it is nearly 15 kilometres from Sabine to West Sabine Huts. 

West Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP...lots of firewood there...Mt Cuploa in the background

As you can see West Sabine Hut is an older design but still completely serviceable, it is built in the older style i.e. all one big room with a central heating point. Given the huge number of people who visit, the hut is in excellent condition.

West Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP: the bunks

Panoramic shot of inside of West Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

There is very little bench space in this hut much less than either Lakehead Hut or John Tait which are built to the same design. This was a problem later in the night when lots of people wanted to cook their dinner meal. 

The hut was busy....this is a 30 person hut and we only had 3-4 spare bunks by the end of the night...

West Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP the small cooking bench

More bunks in West Sabine Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

 I had a really good chat to a group of trampers from the Lake Taupo Tramping Club here on their summer trip to the South Island. They were a nice bunch of people, mostly around my age. 

The hut was also full of Te Araroa trekkers as this is the point where they head up to Blue Lake Hut and the crossing of Waiau Pass. I went to bed early that night as I knew I had a massive climb over Travers Saddle the next day.

Day four: West Sabine Hut to Upper Travers Hut via Travers Saddle

The next day dawned overcast but dry so it was all go for a crossing of Travers Saddle. I knew I had a long tough day ahead of me...climbing up and over Travers Saddle. I made sure I was out the door of West Sabine Hut and walking by 8.10am.

West Sabine Hut to Upper Travers Hut via Travers Saddle

The first part of the track was easy travel following the Sabine River down to the confluence with the East Sabine. After this it was constant uphill travel for the next 4.5 hours.

On the track to Travers Saddle from West Sabine Hut

Last view of the Sabine River, Travers Saddle Track

Map: West Sabine Hut to the East Sabine chasm

The first climb was only about 150 metres to gain the western side of the East Sabine Valley. Once on the top it was a gentle sidle for the next hour or so along the 850 a.s.l line to the bridge over the East Sabine.

Start of the climb to Travers Saddle, climbing to the 850 a.s.l line

Travers Saddle Track...there are root ladders

Travers Saddle Track....there is moss!

Travers Saddle Track...there is open forest siddling

Side stream on the Travers Saddle Track, you can drink this water!

The bridge over the East Sabine Chasm, Travers Saddle Track

View down into the East Sabine Chasm, Travers Saddle Track

View down into the East Sabine Chasm, Travers Saddle Track

The East Sabine River from the Travers Saddle Track

About 10 minutes from the East Sabine bridge are a couple of side streams, these are the last water resupply points until you reach the other side of Travers Saddle so fill up here. You have a long hot climb ahead of you.

Side stream on the Travers Saddle Track...this is the last water resupply point for 3 hours!

The next section of track is up an unnamed stream bed for about 300 meters, after this you sidle off to the right to a new track up a spur. This track is not shown on the topo maps as it is only a year old. Its not a bad track but it is a constant uphill slog for at least 2-3 hours. 

It gradually gets steeper as it climbs to the bush line.

Starting the climb to Travers Saddle in a creek bed, Travers Saddle Track

Map: East Travers bridge to Travers Saddle...the new track shown in red!

Heading up through the beech forest, Travers Saddle Track

I accidentally snapped my trekking pole the previous day so I had to make an expedient one from a branch I found next to the track. Model I lasted all the way from Sabine Hut to the bridge literally 50 metres from Upper Travers Hut where it too snapped. 

What a bloody legend it was...I carefully placed it back on the forest floor with a heartfelt thanks to the forest.

Poles, trekking, wooden, expedient, Mark I

Thinning forest half way to Travers Saddle

The first view of the way I had come was about an hour into the climb up the spur, you can see the Mahanga Range on the other side of the valley but little else.

View along the Travers Range from the Travers Saddle Track

First view of the surrounding mountains on the Travers Saddle Track

Miniature beech trees...Travers Saddle Track

More open forest near the bushline, Travers Saddle Track

East Sabine Valley from the Travers Saddle Track

Looking towards the Mt Franklin from Travers Saddle Track

About to exit the bushline after 2 hours climbing, Travers Saddle Track

The bushline at 1500 metres, on the Travers Saddle Track

Once out of the bush the view was much better, you can see al the way down to the Sabine River as well as the peaks which surround you on all sides. In the photo below you climb over the slip at the end of the East Sabine Valley and sidle along the far side of the valley for an hour. Then it is climb, climb, climb!!!

View down into the East Sabine Valley, Travers Saddle Track

Cloud forming over the distant Mahanga Range, near Travers Saddle

A native Common Speargrass along the Travers Saddle Track

It takes about 45 minutes to climb from the bush-line to the saddle itself...it is steep and rocky going so a slow pace is required for safety. It is a mixture of tussock, rocks and shingle slides...the path is fairly obvious and it is also marked with snow poles.

Take care here if it is cloudy...the cloud came down when I was half way to the saddle and I literally could not see 3 metres. There are a lot of fall hazards in the area so make sure of your footing.

On the Travers Saddle Track...cloud coming in...

In the tussock just short of Travers Saddle, more speargrass

There are lots of false crests if you walk up from East Sabine Valley...you have been warned!

Mt Travers from the last climb before Travers Saddle

I finally made it to the top of Travers Saddle after about 5 hours of tramping..it was slow going climbing up that long spur line. I stopped for about 10 minutes on top for a snack and some water and then continued walking. 

On a lovely sunny day I bet the saddle is spectacular, but on the cold, windy, cloudy day I had the saddle had a very foreboding feel to it. I didn't like being up there by myself at all, the first time I have ever felt like that tramping.

Spooky as hell!

I think it was because I was thinking about the German tramper Christian Prehn who vanished without a trace up there in 2014...I can totally see how you could walk in the wrong place and disappear never to be seen again.

I got going as soon as possible.....

Atop Travers Saddle with Mt Travers in the background

Jon on the top of Travers Saddle

Once I got to the saddle I thought it would be relatively easy to make my way down to the hut....I should have known better. It is steep, rocky and very broken terrain up here. It took me over 1 hour and 45 minutes to get down to the Upper Travers Hut.

It was really slow,  tough going....

Travers Saddle Track descending into Travers Valley

Mt Travers from the Travers Saddle Track

If you are desperate for water you could take some from the tarn pictured below but for gods sake filter it as it will be used by Red Deer and Chamois. Otherwise there is a small stream about 10 minutes further down the track which I used.

A alpine tarn on the descent to Travers Valley, Travers Saddle Track

Large historic rock slide on the flank of Mt Travers

Pt. 2096 from the Travers Saddle Track

Map: Travers Saddle to Upper Travers Hut

Large moss growing next to the Travers Saddle Track

There is a bit of precarious rock hopping involved in crossing the edge of the rock fall zone on the flank of Mt Travers.

Crossing the Mt Travers rock slide area, Travers Saddle Track

View down into the Upper Travers cirque, St Arnaud Range in distance

The last drop down to the Travers Valley floor is steep so take your time on the descent. The track helpfully zig zags down this slope but the track marking leaves a bit to be desired...

Route down to the valley floor in the Upper Travers Valley

Flowering Common Speargrass in the Upper Travers Valley

Hey SOBO's...the track to Travers Saddle is up this slope....

Upper Travers Valley, from the Travers Saddle Track

Once you make it down to the Valley floor the travel is a little easier although you are still about 30 minutes away from the hut. Watch the holes...the tussock covers up a multitude of ankle breaking holes through here.

Travers Saddle as viewed from the Upper Travers Valley

Upper Travers Hut is located in the first finger of bush you can see as you make your way down the Valley. It is a beautiful location with the surrounding mountains and alpine meadows around it. 

Travers Saddle Track descending to Upper Travers Hut

View down the Upper Travers Valley from above Upper Travers Hut

Footbridge over the Upper Travers River, Travers Saddle Track

I was very pleased to see Upper Travers Hut...I left West Sabine Hut at 8.10am that morning and arrived at Upper Travers at 3.30pm. That is over 7.5 hours of walking and I was looking forward to putting my feet up.

Upper Travers Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

There were only five people in the hut when I got there but as the afternoon wore on more and more people joined us. Mostly it was TA walkers, some NOBO but most of them heading south. A fine evening was spent with the fire going as I had cut up a goodly pile of firewood in the afternoon.

Upper Travers Hut: cooking benches and wood burner

Upper Travers Hut: doors to the two bunkrooms

My pile of wood splits, Upper Travers Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

DOC sign, Upper Travers Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

Unfortunately I was forced to stay at Upper Travers Hut for a zero day as I had acquired a large blister on the back of my right heel.

View of Mt Travers from inside Upper Travers Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

Below is the only clear view I had of Mt Travers in the nearly 40 hours I spent at Upper Travers Hut. The top third of the mountain was constantly covered in misty cloud for all of the rest of the time, Mt Travers is obviously on the inversion line for cloud formation. 

I wouldn't want to be in this hut in a big earthquake, there is a LOT of loose 'weetbix' rock up there.....

Mt Travers from Upper Travers Hut, Nelson Lakes NP

The next couple of days would see me walking on familiar ground, from Upper Travers Hut down to St Arnaud...

Access: From St Arnaud via Mt Robert car park and Speargrass Hut Track. 1-2 hours to carpark from St Arnaud or use shuttle.

Track Times: 8 kms or 3 hours Mt Robert car park to Speargrass Hut, 15 km's or 5-6 hours Sabine to West Sabine Hut, 10 km's or 6-9 hours West Sabine to Upper Travers Hut

Hut Details: Speargrass Hut: serviced, 12 bunks, wood burner, wood shed, water tank, toilet; Sabine Hut: serviced, 32 bunks, wood burner, wood shed, water tank, toilets; West Sabine Hut: serviced, 30 bunks, wood burner, water tank, wood shed, toilets; Upper Travers Hut: serviced, 30 bunks, wood burner, wood shed, water tank, toilets

Miscellaneous:The track between Speargrass Hut and Sabine Hut is poorly marked in places with wind fall and dense regrowth. The track over Travers Saddle is classed as a route but is marked with snow-poles the whole way. Travers Saddle is in a high alpine area, watch weather in region.  River crossings and some fall and rock fall hazards along all these tracks. Avalanche zones from May-November.