Dart Lake, 24 - 26 October 2015

On Labour Weekend we explored the recently formed Dart Lake.
On Saturday we walked the Dart Track from Chinamans Bluff to Sandy Bluff, then pack-rafted most of the way up the lake before walking to Daleys Flat Hut. The Dart Track was washed away downstream of Sandy Bluff; the river now flows hard against a bluff, making the track impassable. DoC have cut and marked a new track that climbs over the bluff, but this is not trivial. A rock step near the northern end would be better descended with the assistance of a rope. The track over Sandy Bluff is also obliterated by a large amount of windfall - paddling the lake is definitely faster! But the northern end of the lake is too shallow, making travel on foot easier again.
On Sunday we explored the lake, paddling in an enchanted submerged forest. The mouth of the McBride Burn is especially beautiful.
On Monday we paddled back across the lake to the mouth of Slip Stream, then walked down valley on the true right of the Dart River as far as Surveyor Flat. Here we used the pack-rafts to cross the river then walked the Dart Track back to our vehicles.
We had Daleys Flat Hut to ourselves all weekend, and really got to appreciate the Dart Valley's current feeling of wilderness and remoteness - just wonderful!
Party: Hannah Joynt, Juliet Meldrum, Crystal Brindle, Danilo Hegg.

Trip map. 1 grid square = 1km. Left click on map then select "Sizes -> Original" in bottom right corner of screen to view full size.
At the top of the washed out section below Sandy Bluff, Dart Track
Dart Lake 001 Dart River Dart Track Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Southern Alps Tramping Warning sign sign warning
At the top of the washed out section below Sandy Bluff, Dart Track
Dart Lake 004 Dart River Dart Track Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Southern Alps Tramping Warning sign sign warning
NW wind gusts blowing down the Dart Lake. View from Sandy Bluff, Dart Track.
Dart Lake 007 Barrier Range Dart Lake Dart River Dart Track Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Southern Alps Tramping
On the Dart Lake
Dart Lake 010 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling submerged forest
On the Dart Lake
Dart Lake 013 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling submerged forest
Juliet demonstrates the use of Dart silt as mascara.
Dart Lake 017 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping cosmetic eyeliner mascara silt
On Dart Lake. The Cosmos Peaks above.
Dart Lake 021 Cosmos Peaks Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Slip Stream Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
On Dart Lake. The Cosmos Peaks above.
Dart Lake 022 Cosmos Peaks Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Slip Stream Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
In the submerged forest on Dart Lake
Dart Lake 028 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling submerged forest
In the submerged forest on Dart Lake
Dart Lake 029 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling submerged forest
In the submerged forest on Dart Lake
Dart Lake 032 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling submerged forest
In the submerged forest on Dart Lake
Dart Lake 035 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling submerged forest
On Dart Lake. The southern end of the McBride Peaks above.
Dart Lake 048 Dart Lake Dart River McBride Peaks Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft paddle paddling
On Dart Lake
Dart Lake 049 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling submerged forest
On Dart Lake
Dart Lake 053 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling submerged forest
On Dart Lake, heading towards Sandy Bluff. The Cosmos Peaks are in the background.
Dart Lake 054 Cosmos Peaks Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Slip Stream Southern Alps Tramping
On Dart Lake, looking up to Hedin Peak, Seal Col and Johansen Peak
Dart Lake 057 Barrier Range Dart Lake Dart River Hedin Peak Johansen Peak Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Seal Col Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
On Dart Lake, heading towards Sandy Bluff. The Cosmos Peaks are in the background.
Dart Lake 059 Cosmos Peaks Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Slip Stream Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Pack rafting on Dart Lake.
Dart Lake 062 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling submerged forest
On Dart Lake, heading towards Sandy Bluff. The Cosmos Peaks are in the background.
Dart Lake 067 Cosmos Peaks Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Slip Stream Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
On Dart Lake, heading towards Sandy Bluff. The Cosmos Peaks are in the background.
Dart Lake 070 Cosmos Peaks Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Slip Stream Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
On Dart Lake, heading towards Sandy Bluff. The Cosmos Peaks are in the background.
Dart Lake 072 Cosmos Peaks Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Slip Stream Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Pack rafting below Sandy Bluff
Dart Lake 074 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Sandy Bluff
Dart Lake 075 Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping
On Dart Lake, heading towards Sandy Bluff. The Cosmos Peaks are in the background.
Dart Lake 077 Cosmos Peaks Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Slip Stream Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Sandy Bluff, Dart Lake
Dart Lake 078 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Sandy Bluff, Dart Lake
Dart Lake 084 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Juliet dwarfed by Sandy Bluff, Dart Lake
Dart Lake 089 Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sandy Bluff Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Beach at the mouth of Slip Stream. Ferrier Peak and Bernard Peak are visible at the head of the Dart Lake.
Dart Lake 096 Bernard Peak Dart Lake Dart River Ferrier Peak Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Slip Stream Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Pack rafting at the mouth of the McBride Burn
Dart Lake 104 Dart Lake Dart River McBride Burn Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Submerged forest at the mouth of the McBride Burn
Dart Lake 114 Dart Lake Dart River McBride Burn Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping submerged forest
Pack rafting at the mouth of the McBride Burn
Dart Lake 117 Dart Lake Dart River McBride Burn Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Submerged forest at the mouth of the McBride Burn
Dart Lake 119 Dart Lake Dart River McBride Burn Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping submerged forest
Submerged forest at the mouth of the McBride Burn
Dart Lake 124 Dart Lake Dart River McBride Burn Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping submerged forest
Crystal working her magic with her camera. McBride Burn mouth, Dart Lake.
Dart Lake 132 Dart Lake Dart River McBride Burn Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Crystal working her magic with her camera. McBride Burn mouth, Dart Lake.
Dart Lake 137 Dart Lake Dart River McBride Burn Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Submerged forest at the mouth of the McBride Burn
Dart Lake 145 Dart Lake Dart River McBride Burn Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping submerged forest
Pack rafting at the mouth of the McBride Burn
Dart Lake 149 Dart Lake Dart River McBride Burn Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
Dead trees in Dart Lake. Ferrier Peak and Bernard Peak provide the backdrop
Dart Lake 163 Bernard Peak Dart Lake Dart River Ferrier Peak Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping
View of the Barrier Range from Dart Lake. The peaks on the skyline are Nansen Peak, Chancellor, Frobisher, Ferrier Peak and Bernard Peak.
Dart Lake 173 Barrier Range Bernard Peak Chancellor Dart Lake Dart River Ferrier Peak Frobisher Mount Aspiring National Park Nansen Peak New Zealand O'Leary Pass Southern Alps Tramping
Pack rafting on Dart Lake. Cerberus above.
Dart Lake 178 Cerberus Dart Lake Dart River Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping alpacka raft pack raft pack rafting paddle paddling
The Dart River at Daleys Flat. Ferrier Peak is back right.
Dart Lake 203 Barrier Range Daleys Flat Dart River Ferrier Peak Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping
The Dart River at Daleys Flat. Ferrier Peak is at centre image.
Dart Lake 206 Barrier Range Daleys Flat Dart River Ferrier Peak Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping
The Dart River at Daleys Flat. Ferrier Peak is back right.
Dart Lake 223 Barrier Range Daleys Flat Dart River Ferrier Peak Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping
The Dart River at Daleys Flat. Ferrier Peak is at centre image.
Dart Lake 239a Barrier Range Daleys Flat Dart River Ferrier Peak Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping
Dart River in moonlight, Daleys Flat. Ferrier Peak is at centre image.
Dart Lake 254 Barrier Range Daleys Flat Dart River Ferrier Peak Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping
Dart River in moonlight, Daleys Flat. Ferrier Peak is back right.
Dart Lake 256 Barrier Range Daleys Flat Dart River Ferrier Peak Mount Aspiring National Park New Zealand Southern Alps Tramping

Southern Alps Photography

Dart Lake, 24 - 26 October 2015

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Lukas Korous