Arthur's Pass National Park

Arthur's Pass National Park is located in the South Island of New Zealand and covers 1,185 km2 of mostly mountainous terrain.[1] Adjacent to it lies Craigieburn Forest Park. The park is administered by the Department of Conservation.

Arthur's Pass National Park
Edwards Valley, within Arthurs Pass National Park
Map
Interactive Map of Arthur's Pass National Park
LocationCanterbury, New Zealand
Nearest cityChristchurch, New Zealand
Coordinates42°57′S 171°34′E / 42.950°S 171.567°E / -42.950; 171.567
Area1,184.7 km2 (457.4 sq mi)
Established1929
Governing bodyDepartment of Conservation
Arthurs Pass Visitor Centre (built 1959, closed 2019). The visitor centre facilities relocated to across the road.
Flower of Ranunculus lyallii at Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass seen from the slopes of Avalanche Peak
Ranunculus lyallii at Arthur's Pass

History

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Park establishment

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Arthur′s Pass National Park was established in 1929, becoming the first national park in the South Island and the third in New Zealand. Land in Arthur's Pass and the Otira Gorge was originally set aside under the Lands Act 1885 and the Scenery Preservation Act of 1903. This land became the foundation for the national park.[2]

After the Midland railway line was built, train trips from Christchurch to the Otira Gorge began with day trippers visiting Arthur′s Pass in 1926. Unfortunately native flowers were popular souvenirs. Some individuals chose to cut down trees to obtain rātā blooms. As a result, there was a large push to establish national park status for the area. This led to the establishment of Arthur's Pass National Park in 1929. Underfunding meant that this was initially in name only and it took a number of years for the flora and fauna to be fully protected.[3] The first full time park ranger, Ray Cleland, was appointed to Arthur's Pass National Park in 1950. Initially he did not have a work vehicle having to use a packhorse instead. Duties were wide and varied including hut and track building, promotion of the national park, search and rescue, protection of the park environment and enforcing rules and regulations.

Expansion

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In 1901, the Riversdale Flats were gazetted for inclusion in Arthur's Pass National Park, However, when the park was created in 1929, the 1,000 hectares of the Riversdale Flats were excluded. These were then incorporated into the Mount White Station lease. In 2007, the Arthur's Pass National Park plan recommended the inclusion of the Riversdale Flats. In late 2021, the status of whether the Riversdale Flats should remain within the Mount White lease or be incorporated into Arthur's Pass National Park was before the courts.[4][5][6][7][8]

Geography

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Arthur′s Pass National Park is bisected by State Highway 73. The road passes through Arthur's Pass village and the mountain pass with the same name over the Southern Alps at a height of 920 metres above sea level. The National Park is located within a few hours of driving from Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand.

The park is split by the main divide of the South Island. The eastern side is typically drier and consists of mountain beech forest and wide riverbeds, while the western side contains dense rainforest (which includes mixed podocarp and rata).[9] Much of the geography was formed by ancient glacial action, forming flat bottomed U-shaped valleys. In the middle is a high range, consisting of large, snow-covered peaks and scree slopes.[10]

The park contains the following geographical features:

Climate

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The coldest temperature recorded in Arthurs Pass was −18.9 °C (−2 °F) at Bealey on 19 July 1878. [11]

Climate data for Arthurs Pass Village (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1978-present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 32.1
(89.8)
29.5
(85.1)
26.4
(79.5)
22.5
(72.5)
17.6
(63.7)
14.0
(57.2)
12.8
(55.0)
14.3
(57.7)
20.0
(68.0)
22.5
(72.5)
26.2
(79.2)
27.6
(81.7)
32.1
(89.8)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 25.6
(78.1)
25.4
(77.7)
22.4
(72.3)
17.8
(64.0)
14.4
(57.9)
11.1
(52.0)
9.9
(49.8)
12.0
(53.6)
14.9
(58.8)
18.0
(64.4)
20.7
(69.3)
23.4
(74.1)
27.2
(81.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 18.3
(64.9)
18.6
(65.5)
16.1
(61.0)
12.7
(54.9)
9.7
(49.5)
6.7
(44.1)
6.0
(42.8)
7.6
(45.7)
9.8
(49.6)
11.7
(53.1)
13.9
(57.0)
16.5
(61.7)
12.3
(54.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 13.3
(55.9)
13.4
(56.1)
11.2
(52.2)
8.3
(46.9)
5.8
(42.4)
3.0
(37.4)
2.2
(36.0)
3.5
(38.3)
5.5
(41.9)
7.3
(45.1)
9.3
(48.7)
11.8
(53.2)
7.9
(46.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 8.3
(46.9)
8.2
(46.8)
6.3
(43.3)
4.0
(39.2)
1.9
(35.4)
−0.6
(30.9)
−1.6
(29.1)
−0.7
(30.7)
1.3
(34.3)
3.0
(37.4)
4.7
(40.5)
7.2
(45.0)
3.5
(38.3)
Mean minimum °C (°F) 2.5
(36.5)
2.3
(36.1)
−0.4
(31.3)
−2.2
(28.0)
−3.9
(25.0)
−6.7
(19.9)
−7.5
(18.5)
−6.2
(20.8)
−4.5
(23.9)
−2.7
(27.1)
−1.4
(29.5)
1.3
(34.3)
−8.3
(17.1)
Record low °C (°F) −1.0
(30.2)
−1.5
(29.3)
−8.5
(16.7)
−7.8
(18.0)
−7.5
(18.5)
−11.5
(11.3)
−12.5
(9.5)
−11.0
(12.2)
−8.2
(17.2)
−6.1
(21.0)
−5.0
(23.0)
−1.4
(29.5)
−12.5
(9.5)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 413.5
(16.28)
272.6
(10.73)
321.2
(12.65)
370.3
(14.58)
395.0
(15.55)
378.1
(14.89)
328.4
(12.93)
353.0
(13.90)
452.5
(17.81)
489.4
(19.27)
438.6
(17.27)
447.7
(17.63)
4,660.3
(183.49)
Source: NIWA [12]
Climate data for Bealey (1867–1880)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 28.3
(82.9)
29.3
(84.7)
29.2
(84.6)
23.1
(73.6)
18.3
(64.9)
14.9
(58.8)
12.4
(54.3)
14.4
(57.9)
20.6
(69.1)
23.7
(74.7)
26.3
(79.3)
29.0
(84.2)
29.3
(84.7)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 26.5
(79.7)
25.9
(78.6)
23.0
(73.4)
19.1
(66.4)
15.1
(59.2)
12.3
(54.1)
10.2
(50.4)
10.8
(51.4)
16.0
(60.8)
19.6
(67.3)
22.3
(72.1)
24.3
(75.7)
27.5
(81.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 19.2
(66.6)
18.7
(65.7)
16.9
(62.4)
13.6
(56.5)
9.6
(49.3)
6.5
(43.7)
5.6
(42.1)
6.9
(44.4)
10.5
(50.9)
12.9
(55.2)
15.0
(59.0)
17.5
(63.5)
12.7
(54.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 13.9
(57.0)
13.5
(56.3)
12.2
(54.0)
9.3
(48.7)
5.7
(42.3)
2.8
(37.0)
1.8
(35.2)
3.0
(37.4)
6.0
(42.8)
8.3
(46.9)
10.2
(50.4)
12.7
(54.9)
8.3
(46.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 8.6
(47.5)
8.3
(46.9)
7.5
(45.5)
5.0
(41.0)
1.9
(35.4)
−0.8
(30.6)
−2.0
(28.4)
−0.7
(30.7)
1.6
(34.9)
3.7
(38.7)
5.4
(41.7)
8.0
(46.4)
3.9
(39.0)
Mean minimum °C (°F) 2.7
(36.9)
2.1
(35.8)
0.3
(32.5)
−1.8
(28.8)
−4.7
(23.5)
−8.6
(16.5)
−9.9
(14.2)
−7.1
(19.2)
−3.9
(25.0)
−2.7
(27.1)
−0.5
(31.1)
0.9
(33.6)
−11.8
(10.8)
Record low °C (°F) 0.6
(33.1)
−0.6
(30.9)
−1.7
(28.9)
−3.6
(25.5)
−10.6
(12.9)
−15.1
(4.8)
−18.9
(−2.0)
−10.3
(13.5)
−5.6
(21.9)
−9.6
(14.7)
−2.2
(28.0)
−3.9
(25.0)
−18.9
(−2.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 114.6
(4.51)
112.6
(4.43)
149.1
(5.87)
131.2
(5.17)
169.4
(6.67)
142.9
(5.63)
147.3
(5.80)
166.8
(6.57)
185.8
(7.31)
193.5
(7.62)
163.0
(6.42)
168.0
(6.61)
1,844.2
(72.61)
Source: NIWA (rainfall 1871-1900) [13]

Ecology

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Fauna

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Whio

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Seventeen Whio (blue ducks) were released into the park in March 2021. There are less than 3,000 whio left in New Zealand.[14]

Kākāriki karaka

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The rarest of New Zealand's six kākāriki species, the orange-fronted parakeet is only found in Arthur's Pass National Park.[15] They are most commonly seen in the Hawdon and Poulter valleys.[16]

 
Selfie with kea in Arthur's Pass National Park car park

Kea are regularly seen in both the park and the township. Scotts Track which leads up to Avalanche Peak is often a spot where kea spend time especially close to the tree line.[16] Young kea can often be spotted from the carpark at the viaduct lookout (which is also known as Deaths Corner). This is about 8 km west of Arthur's Pass Village.[16][17] Kea are also common visitors to the local ski fields (Porters, Cheeseman, Broken River, Craigieburn and Temple Basin).

Great spotted kiwi (roroa)

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These can be heard around Arthur's Pass Village, but being nocturnal kiwi are often difficult to see. There are up to 40 kiwi living in the Bealey Valley.[citation needed]

Weka

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Weka are becoming more common in the western side of the park and occasionally in the Edwards Valley.[16] They have not been sited between the 1920s until a population was re-established near the Taramakau river in the early 1970s. They have slowly expanded their territory and predator control has allowed the population to expand towards Arthurs Pass Village.[18][19]

Conservation and human interaction

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Visitor centre

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The first national park visitor centre was built in Arthur′s Pass in 1959, with the help of the Christchurch Wanderers Tramping Club. It was designed by Christchurch architect Paul Pascoe and used local stone to reflect the geology of the national park.[20] As well as Department of Conservation offices, the building housed museum displays on the history of Arthur's Pass (including Richard Seddon's stagecoach) and archives detailing the history of the National Park. In 2019 the building was declared earthquake prone, and the visitor centre was moved to a portacabin across the road. The cost to upgrade the building to the required standard was estimated at NZ$3 million.[21]

Management

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The Department of Conservation operates a depot, administration and information centre in Arthur's Pass village. It has been proposed that facilities should be developed to encourage more visitors to stay the night. Achieving this would require more high end accommodation and amenities to be built. The report notes that visitors peak over summer. There is a lack of longer day walk options in the park and all–weather amenities. The report also suggested that a cable car would be popular to access the tops of the mountains as would hot pools in the village and an upgraded visitor centre. The Department of Conservation had yet to make a decision on the development of Arthur's Pass National Park by June 2021.[22][23]

Activities

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The park is popular for tramping, skiing, hunting and mountaineering. The Mingha-Deception tramping route is used each February for the running section of the Coast to Coast race.

There are a number of harder routes within the park that require a high level of mountaineering skill.

Avalanche Peak

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Avalanche Peak is the only peak in Arthur's Pass National Park that is marked by a poled route to the summit. The route is steep and climbs 1,100 metres vertical from the Arthur's Pass village. On a clear day, there are good views of the Southern Alps.[24]

Devils Punchbowl waterfall

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Devils Punchbowl waterfall

The Devils Punchbowl waterfall is located close to the northern end of Arthur′s Pass Village. The short walk to the waterfall and back can be completed in under two hours. The start of the walk is at the footbridge that crosses the Bealey River. The walk takes in beech forest resplendent with birdlife. The track climbs a well maintained track to the base of the 131 metre waterfall,[25] where there is a viewing platform.[26][27][28]

Mount Rolleston

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Mount Rolleston (2009)

Mount Rolleston is one of the highest peaks in the National Park. it is 2271 meters tall. It is a popular mountain to climb and there are multiple ways to climb it[29] The Rolleston Glacier has melted significantly and the degree of the melt in 2011 would be a 1-in-100-year event under natural conditions, but due to climate change this has become a 1-in-8-year event.[30]

Bealey Spur track

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View of the Arthurs Pass National Park from the Bealey Spur track
 
Bealey Spur Hut

This is a popular day trip within Arthur's Pass National Park. It is an easy 2.5 hour walk up to the Bealey Spur Hut. The views over the Wamaikariri Basin and surrounding mountains on a fine day are worth the climb.[31]

Waimakariri Basin

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Waimakariri basin

O'Malleys track starts at State Highway 73 and follows the Waimakariri River, crossing Turkey Flat to Anti Crow Hut (6 bunks) then on to Carrington Hut (36 bunks). This takes the average fit walker five hours. From Carrington Hut, it is possible to climb Harman Pass (1315m) and cross the Southern Alps. Another trip from Carrington Hut is to continue following the Waimakariri River to Waimakariri Falls Hut, at 1,290 metres above sea level. This hut contains six bunks and various mountaineering trips can be taken from here into the higher mountains of the National Park.[32][33]

From Anti Crow Hut it is also possible to cross the Wamakariri River and walk up the Crow river towards Crow Hut which sits at 1020 metres above sea level and has 10 bunks.[34]

Edwards-Hawdon track

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Hawdon River

This challenging tramping trip travels up the Edwards River, crosses two alpine Passes and then travels down the Hawdon River. The Department of Conservation describes it as "...best of Arthur's Pass National Park's stunning alpine landscapes. The hanging valley at Walker Pass is reached via Taruahuna Pass and the steep climb up to Tarn Col".[35] This is typically a two night and three day tramp with stops at Edwards Hut (16 bunks) and Hawdon Hut (20 Huts). It is suitable for very experienced tramping groups only.

Andrews-Poulter track

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Beech Forest on the Andrews-Poulter tramp

The Andrews-Poulter is a popular non technical trip on the eastern side of Arthur′s Pass National Park. It crosses two passes, the first being the Casey saddle which is surrounded by beech forest. From there, the track leads to Casey Hut. The second day travels along the river flats of the Poulter before climbing through the beech forest to the Binser saddle and then descending to the carpark near the Andrews shelter in the Mt White road.[36]

The Casey Hut was burnt down in October 2015. Fire investigators found that the fire most likely started at the woodstove or close to the hut entrance. Fortunately, the fire did not spread to the surrounding forest. The hut was originally built in the 1969 and had 16 bunks in it.[37]

In 2019, two anonymous donors provided $250,000 for the hut to be rebuilt. DOC plan to build an 8-metre by 5m hut that will contain 12 bunks.[38]

In August 2020, the replacement Casey Hut was opened. It has some upgrades on the original hut including a more efficient fireplace, double glazing, insulation and solar lighting.[39]

Mingha-Deception track

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This is a well known tramping trip that travels up the Mingha river to Goat Pass. Goat Pass hut is located at the pass and has 20 bunk beds. The second day involves travel down the Deception river and multiple river crossings. It is possible to complete a side trip to Lake Mavis from Goat Pass.[40] This trip is used as the mountain run for the Coast to Coast race in the reverse direction.[41] Pest control (trapping stoats, weasels, rats and feral cats) occurs along this route as part of the Blue Duck Recovery Programme.[42][43][44]

Carroll Hut track

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The Carroll Hut Track is on the West Coast side of Arthur′s Pass National Park, 3 kilometres north of Otira on State Highway 73 at Kellys Creek. The tramp to the hut takes around three hours. It is a step climb through podocarp and broadleaf forest. It provides good views of the Taramakau River on a clear day.[45] The hut itself, has 10 bunk beds and does not have any form of heating.[45][46][47][48] Expect the trip back from the hut to the road to take 90 minutes.[49]

Park safety

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Arthur's Pass National Park has a reputation as one of the most dangerous national parks in New Zealand.[50] In the first three months of 2006 alone two people died whilst walking in the park.[51]

The mountains around Arthur's Pass contain very challenging terrain. The marked day walks in the park, all easily accessible from the Arthur's Pass village carparks, involve vertical ascents of around 1,000 m (3,300 ft) and include several hours well above the tree line. The peaks are highly exposed to the weather, the tracks are often very steep, and are often marked only by poles strung across a rocky landscape. Below the tree line the bush is dense and thick. In common with many alpine areas the weather is subject to frequent and sudden change. There are numerous reports in the media of unfortunate incidents where trampers have been unprepared for the harsh and variable conditions and suffered from hypothermia or a fatal fall, or have become lost.[52]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Data Table - Protected Areas - LINZ Data Service". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  2. ^ Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "National parks – the beginnings". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  3. ^ Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Towards better management, 1900–1950s". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Fix for 120-year anomaly heads to court". Newsroom. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Lawyers called in over 119-year mistake". Newsroom. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Slice of pristine South Island high country 'should finally become national park'". Stuff. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Public access to Arthur's Pass National Park protected in Mt White agreement". Stuff. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Century-old land status error must be 'urgently' resolved". Stuff. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  9. ^ Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Western and central South Island parks". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  10. ^ a b Arthur's Pass National Park > New Zealand, www.newzealand.com. Retrieved 30 November 2009
  11. ^ "CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 4638)". NIWA. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  12. ^ "CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 4513. 25821, 41489)". NIWA. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  13. ^ "CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 4638)". NIWA. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Endangered ducks to be released into new Canterbury home". Stuff. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  15. ^ Gooding, Bea (29 April 2020). "Rare native parakeets released in Canterbury". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  16. ^ a b c d "Bird watching in Arthur's Pass National Park". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Arthur's Pass - Kea (Nestor Notabilis)". arthurspass.com. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  18. ^ "Weka don't pass on alpine living". Stuff. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Arthurs Pass :: Kiwis for kiwi". www.kiwisforkiwi.org. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  20. ^ Shaun Barnett &, Chris Maclean (2014). Tramping A New Zealand History. Nelson, New Zealand: Craig Potton Publishing. pp. 191–192.
  21. ^ "Arthur's Pass residents fight to save building at heart of national park". Stuff. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  22. ^ "ARTHUR'S PASS DESTINATION & INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK" (PDF). www.doc.govt.nz. June 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  23. ^ "Hot pools in Arthur's Pass? First look at lavish visitor centre proposal". Stuff. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  24. ^ "Avalanche Peak route". Department of Conservation.
  25. ^ "Devils Punchbowl Walking Track". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  26. ^ "Devil's Punchbowl Walking Track | Christchurch - Canterbury, New Zealand". www.newzealand.com. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  27. ^ "A guide to Arthur's Pass National Park: When to go, where to stay and what to do". Stuff. 7 November 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  28. ^ "Five New Zealand waterfalls not to be missed". Stuff. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  29. ^ "Mt Rolleston | ClimbNZ | climbnz.org.nz". climbnz.org.nz. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  30. ^ "NZ glacier melt linked to climate change". Cosmos Magazine. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  31. ^ "Bealey Spur Track". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  32. ^ May '16, 5 May 20165. "Waimakariri Falls Hut, Arthur's Pass National Park - Hiking & Tramping in NZ". Wilderness Magazine. Retrieved 11 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ "Carrington Hut Route". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Crow Hut". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  35. ^ "Edwards-Hawdon Route".
  36. ^ "Casey Saddle - Binser Saddle Route". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  37. ^ "Arthur's Pass hut burnt down". Stuff. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  38. ^ "Burned down Arthur's Pass hut to be replaced after donors give $250k". Stuff. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  39. ^ "New DOC hut funded by $250k donation opens in Arthur's Pass". Stuff. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  40. ^ "Mingha - Deception Route". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  41. ^ Jan '19, Pat Barrett 23 January 201923 (22 January 2019). "A route that has it all". Wilderness Magazine. Retrieved 5 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  42. ^ "Mingha Deception east west route guide" (PDF). Department of Conservation. June 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 February 2019.
  43. ^ "Endangered ducks to be released into new Canterbury home". Stuff. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  44. ^ "Arthur's Pass Wildlife Trust". www.apwt.org.nz. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  45. ^ a b "Carroll Hut Track". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  46. ^ "Arthur's Pass - Kelly Range (Carroll Hut)". arthurspass.com. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  47. ^ "Stay at Carroll Hut". www.theoutbound.com. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  48. ^ "Get away from the crowds: Five off-the-beaten-track hikes to discover". Stuff. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  49. ^ "Harman Pass Route". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  50. ^ "Arthurs Pass National Park travel info: most dangerous - beautiful park". Travellerhints.com - Best Nightlife Party Fun Info. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  51. ^ "SAR Reports - 2006". arthurspass.com. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  52. ^
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