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Day 1: St Arnaud → Lakehead HutDay 2: Lakehead → Upper TraversDay 3: Traverse Saddle → Sabine HutDay 4: Sabine → Blue Lake → West Sabine HutDay 5: West Sabine → Coldwater → back to St Arnaud
A liner if you wish, I carry a silk one that almost weighs nothing but adds warmth.A cooking stove and gas.A lightweight mug, pocket knife, spork and pan. Food and at least two liters of water per day.A powerbank.Quick dry towel.Clothes: hiking shoes (I hiked on the HOKA Challenger), hiking pants, a woolen shirt, long johns, socks, underwear, hat, mittens, a buff. Raingear: I have a Fjällräven rain jacket plus a rainpants.Hut shoes, I usually bring my Crocs.First aid kitSunscreen, sunglasses.Ziplocks for waste.Toilet paper.Trekking poles.
Hike - NZ
Scenario 1
One way car rental 1000 + gas
Sleep 6 nights hotel
Scenario 2
Return to Nelson van 2000 + gas
Sleep 3 nights hotel
Nov 1
Arrive 9:10 am Aulkand
Fly to Nelson - 1:40 pm - 3:15
Sleep in Nelson
Nov 2
Kayak in Abel Tasman
Sleep in St Arnaud
Nov 3
Day 1: St Arnaud to John Tait Hut
Nov 4
Day 2: Upper Travers Hut to West Sabine Hut
Nov 5
Day 3: Traverse Saddle → Sabine Hut
Nov 6
Day 4: Sabine → Blue Lake → West Sabine Hut
Nov 7
Day 5: West Sabine → Coldwater → back to St Arnaud
Nov 8
Day 6: possible last hike day
Nov 9
Angelas hut
Upper travers
St arnaud to John Tait – This is a shortish warm-up day (about 4–5 hrs). People often continue to Upper Travers the first night, but splitting it as you’ve done keeps it more relaxed.
John Tait to Upper Travers to West Sabine – In most published itineraries, Day 2 is John Tait → Upper Travers (4 hrs), overnight there, then Day 3 is Upper Travers → West Sabine over the saddle (6–8 hrs). You’ve combined the approach to Upper Travers into Day 2’s plan, which means a long day but doable if you’re fit and start early.
Traverse Saddle to Sabine – Crossing the saddle is the biggest climb/descent; many trampers take it as a full day from Upper Travers Hut to West Sabine Hut. From West Sabine to Sabine Hut on Lake Rotoroa is another 5–6 hrs, so splitting that into two days (as you’ve indicated with Sabine/Blue Lake) is common.
Blue Lake side trip – This is usually a separate out-and-back from West Sabine (3–4 hrs each way). You’ve allowed a day for it, which is perfect.
Return via Coldwater Hut – On the way out, West Sabine to Coldwater or Lakehead then to St Arnaud is a long day but within range (7–9 hrs depending on fitness and pack weight).
Day 1: Lake Rotoiti to John Tait Hut
Day 2: Ascend to Upper Travers Hut
Day 3: Traverse Travers Saddle into Sabine Valley to West Sabine Hut
Day 4: Sabine Hut & optional Blue Lake side-trip
Day 5: Robert Ridge descent back to St Arnaud carpar
Reserve huts online via DOC—booking window opens early May–June for summer .
Plan your itinerary based on hut availability (typically 5–6 days):
Buy hut/campsite tickets for any nights not booked in huts—you’ll need tickets even for campsites
c
Gaiters
Trekking poles
🧺 BASE LAYERS (next to skin)
Item
Qty
Notes
Checkbox
Merino or synthetic short-sleeve shirt
1–2
Quick-drying; wear one, spare one. Avoid cotton.
Merino long-sleeve top (200 – 260 gsm)
1
For cool mornings, evenings, or as sleep top.
Merino or synthetic leggings
1
Sleep layer or under rain pants on cold days.
Underwear (synthetic or merino)
2–3
Quick-drying, rotate daily.
Hiking socks (merino blend)
2–3 pairs
Cushion + warmth; rotate and dry daily.
Liner socks (optional)
1 pair
Reduces blisters on long valley days.
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🧥 MID / INSULATION LAYERS
Item
Qty
Notes
Checkbox
Fleece or light grid midlayer (100–200 wt)
1
Breathable warmth for valley walking.
Puffy jacket (down or synthetic)
1
Must fit under shell; essential for huts and cold mornings.
Light synthetic vest or extra fleece (optional)
1
Nice backup if you run cold.
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🌧️ OUTER / SHELL LAYERS
Item
Qty
Notes
Checkbox
Waterproof-breathable rain jacket (e.g., Gore-Tex, Pertex Shield)
1
Full-length pit zips ideal for NZ humidity.
Rain pants / overtrousers
1
Full side zips = easy on/off; wear over shorts on saddle days.
Wind shirt or softshell (optional)
1
Useful on ridge or in drizzle when full shell overkill.
Gaiters
1 pair
Keeps mud, scree, and river grit out; helpful in Sabine Valley.
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🩳 LOWER BODY (outer)
Item
Qty
Notes
Checkbox
Quick-dry trekking pants
1
Stretchy, fast-drying nylon; full-length better for bush and sun.
Light shorts or zip-off legs
1
For warm days in valley sections.
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🧤 ACCESSORIES
Item
Qty
Notes
Checkbox
Warm hat / beanie
1
Merino or fleece; nights can dip below freezing.
Sun hat / cap
1
Strong alpine sun even in November.
Buff / neck gaiter
1
Versatile (sun, cold, dust).
Gloves (light fleece or liner)
1
Keep fingers functional crossing the saddle.
Waterproof shell mitts (optional)
1
Backup if rain + cold wind on ridge.
Sunglasses (category 3+ UV)
1
Essential on snow patches or ridge glare.
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🩴 HUT / CAMP COMFORT
Item
Qty
Notes
Checkbox
Light hut shoes / sandals / crocs
1
Huts require indoor footwear.
Warm hut socks
1 pair
Keep one pair dry for sleeping.
T-shirt & lightweight pants / shorts
1 set
For evenings in huts (kept clean/dry).
Down booties / thick socks (optional)
1
Luxury warmth at Angelus or Upper Travers.
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