South Island - Alternates and Logistics
Hello,
My partner and I are planning a South Island TA hike starting mid-January 2027 going northbound. Planning for 60 days, but can be flexible. We just have some commitments where we need to be back in the U.S. by April 15th.
We are comfortable with Class II/III climbing, have some light mountaineering experience, and lots of backcountry snow travel (we like to splitboard in winters).
I have been scouring the internet for all the best alternates, this is what we are planning so far (Obviously these alternates are dependent on weather and snow conditions):
- Mt Luxemore addition out and back (half of the Kepler Track)
- Mt. Aspiring NP: Routeburn Track -> Serpentine Traverse -> 5 passes (will hit the 5 passes track partway through and will finish loop going clockwise). I think we would hitch into Queenstown before starting the Routeburn track, then hitch back into Queenstown after completing the 5 passes route. Is this track doable at the end of january? (i.e. snow free and no winter gear needed)
- Rees Dart Track: after hitching to Queenstown the 2nd time. Possibly go up to Colin Todd Hut or the Rob Roy Glacier on this track.
- Gillepsie/Rabbit Track: depending on snow and weather. Unsure if it will be snow free by late January/early Feb? Rabbit Pass looks not great with snow on it. Has anyone done this going north?
With all these alternates so far, we would possibly skip from the greenstone river to Gladstone. Would we miss anything worth seeing on that Section?
- Melina Ridge Alternate
- Ball Pass or Mueller Hut addition: Mt. Cook area, might need snow gear for Ball Pass.
- Is Mt. Sunday worth going to?
- Arthur NP addition: Barker Hut to Avalanche Peak
- Pfiefer Bivy addition: might go up to the Bivouac for a night
- Lewis Pass (West) -> Thompson Pass Alternate: We would skip from halfway through the Lewis Pass rd to Waius Pass- would we miss anything worth seeing? Or is the ALT better?
- Angeles Hut / Sunset Saddle Alternate
- Red Hill Range Alternate
Would love to know if we are missing any good alternates? Any cool huts worth going off the main TA for? I was also considering the Milford track but it seems hard logistically and reserving the huts in advance when we are long distance hiking seems difficult.
Also, would love to get some feedback on all of these and know how sketchy they are for a northbound hiker (in regards to snow and needed winter gear- crampons, axes, helmets). Any help or feedback is appreciated- especially for Ball Pass, Rabbit Pass, and the Serpentine Traverse.