Thread: Upper Caples Block July

That’s why we walk!

Originally Posted by Finnwolf

Fark! The mailboat from Queenstown to Elfin Bay jetty was $5!

And that was for a return journey!

I remember those days, the first time we flew into the Caples airstrip from Queenstown airport the cost was $32.

3.5 k woow How long does it take to walk from the last car park?

Originally Posted by Trout

3.5 k woow How long does it take to walk from the last car park?

About 4 hrs to Upper Caples hut from memory, and then about another 2 hrs to Kay Creek hut (at a guess).

Thanks Dama,iv never been there,only walked up the Dart at the end of May on a day walk.Buitifull area.

Originally Posted by Dama dama

About 4 hrs to Upper Caples hut from memory, and then about another 2 hrs to Kay Creek hut (at a guess).

Yep - bang on, Dama Dama.

Just checked my App... took me 4 hours 25 minutes to walk into the Upper Caples Hut and 4 hours 8 minutes from the Upper Caples Hut back to the Carpark. Had a 10 minute break at the Mid Caples in both directions. Must have been fitter by the time I walked out. It's 16.4 km and uphill in both directions. I don't have the exact figures for the walk up to Kay Creek Hut but I think it's a good 2.5 hour walk from memory.

Just be aware that the Upper Caples Hut is a "private" hut - owned by NZDA - and it is always locked. Don't go walking in there expecting to park up for the night in a warm bed to break your trip up to Kay Creek. If you're going to break the trip in two you would need to stay at the Mid Caples Hut operated by DOC.

This photo below is looking up Kay Creek (center of frame) from the southern side of the Caples Valley, looking north. Lovely countryside. Snow is predicted this weekend so most of that will be white by next week.

Private message sent.

Ditto what others have advised.Get your arse up into Kay Creek then let your binos do the walking.The hut is cold & dingey so take the odvious gear .Short hours of sun in there then

Death Valley & looking back down Kay Creek

River flat in Kay Creek & a small clearing in the upper part of the Upper Caples. You can see how hard the frosts were.

Attachment 152503
Attachment 152504
1st photo: Looking back down in to the Upper Caples. You can see the start of Fraser Creek on the left
2nd photo: McKellar Saddle looking down to the Greenstone Valley just before sun down. All of the tarns frozen solid. A big red gave me the slip but the walk home under fall moon made up for it.

1st Photo: The big clearing before sun up. Another amazing frost
2nd photo: Upper Caples hut before we headed out on the last day after some snow

On our way back out Kay Creek
Kay Creek Hut was a welcome sight. It had a nice stream running through in front of the fire and the top bunks were covered in water. There were a lot of built in water features

We saw 60 odd fellow and a few reds. Nothing taken home but memories

Thanks for the photos and report.
Well done the temps must have been brutal.