Nina Valley, Lewis Pass Plan B

Hi all, I am going to Lewis Pass next week for a two night trip and have been reading up on the tops from past threads here.

I have a question though about the Nina valley itself - I have spikes and poles but no crampons - if the tops are out of my comfort/skill range I was thinking to stay at Nina hut for the two nights and hunt from there as plan b.

Does anyone have any tips or experience on hunting the Nina valley? Away from the track of course, I was thinking of hunting up and down Duchess Stream and some of the flats in the valley.

If anyone has any back up ideas for if the tops are out of action due to weather/equipment/skill then I'm keen to hear!

Cheers

Lots of deer in the duchess, don't think they would be down low this time of year though. Stay away from the southern faces and you will be fine without crampons

I'm probably too late to help, but this time of year it can be really good bush stalking on the true right of the Nina. Especially the stretch higher up between Blind stream and the upper Nina biv. Some neat little benches up on that face that catch some good all day sun.

As Jus says, the deer probably won't be near the valley floor eating icicles. The sun is the magnet this time of year, that's where you'll find the animals.

Thanks guys, I ended up heading in for one night at Nina Hut due to weather couldn't push up to the biv.
Got the lay of the land and keen to head back next trip in summer