After spending the night in Aspiring Hut we got up early ready to start our hike up to Cascade Saddle. Although the hike itself is only 6 kilometres (3.75 miles) one-way, the 1,370 metre (almost 4,500 feet) elevation gain makes this a very steep track. In fact, whilst researching the route we discovered that this track made Outside Magazines ‘Twenty Most Dangerous Hikes‘ list! Undeterred having already done at least one other hike on the list we were very careful and made sure that we checked the weather before we left and had a rucksack with plenty of supplies.
The track left from just behind the hut and started climbing almost immediately. For a couple of hours we made our way through the thick beech forest, the tree roots forming an uneven staircase as the steep track continued through the forest.
After a while we came to a slight break in the trees arriving at river tumbling down the steep hillside. The break in the trees gave us a chance to look up the valley towards the ridge we were hiking towards. As we picked our way across the river we could see the clouds lifting slowly from the rocky tops that we knew we were heading towards. Managing to keep our feet dry with some daring leaps from rock to rock the trail headed back into the trees and we continued on towards the bush line.
Sometime later we left the trees behind and came out to the upper slopes, the trail wound through the rocky outcrops that were covered in places with patches of tussock grass. This section of the trail was far steeper than the earlier wooded slopes and at times we found ourselves climbing up the steep rock faces, pulling ourselves up with our hands! All whilst trying not to look back at the steep drop off below us!
After a tough climb, the slope gradient lessened slightly as we finally came to the base of the large patch of snow we had seen on the ridge in the distance. We made our way over the snow, grateful for the change in pitch and came to the ridge line.
Despite the research we had done, I don’t think either of us were prepared for the incredible, near three hundred and sixty degree view that greeted us as we crested the ridge.
We spent some time just standing on the ridge looking out in every direction….and recovering a little from the climb up!
From our vantage point we were able to look back down towards the valley floor over 1,300 meters (4,500 feet) below us.
Not wanting to leave our perch on the ridge, we stopped for our picnic lunch, looking out over Cascade Saddle towards the massive Dart Glacier.
As the early morning clouds continued to lift the sunlight changed the view, highlighting different parts of the glacier and the sheer rock face that formed the edge of the saddle.
Reluctantly we packed up the remains of our picnic and prepared to make our descent back down to the hut in the valley floor. I have to admit that I wasn’t much looking forward to the steep climb down the exposed upper slopes, passing the warning sign as we started down the track only reinforced what a nerve wracking experience this was going to be!
Luckily we made it down in good time and quite easily, the dry conditions and beautiful views made the track less dangerous and provided a suitable distraction. As we dropped back into the dense forest we caught a glimpse of Mount Aspiring through the trees, the clouds that had hidden the peak for much of the day had finally lifted to give us a beautiful view of the mountain the National Park is named after.
We made it back to the hut in plenty of time to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine, but I will leave those pictures for another time.