Day 104 - Cascade Saddle

After yesterdays side trip I’m ready to continue southbound. I’ll be heading over Cascade Saddle which sets across the valley from me. A big drop back down the way I came to the valley bottom followed by a big rise to the saddle. 

11am descent from French Ridge Hut. Scrambling and clinging to the tree roots. 

Starting up the opposite valley towards cascade saddle was less steep at first, but there was so much blow down it was still slow progress. 

Once I broke the tree line I got onto some properly steep sections. Up there with the most exposed I’ve ever been with an overnight pack. 

Duly noted.

Reaching the top after a 1.2km rise in elevation gave me a stunning view of the next valley over. Pictured is Dart glacier and Mt. Māori. I don’t look at pictures of the routes I’m going on beforehand, so seeing this beautiful view was a great surprise. 

I decided to pitch my tent further along the valley closer to Cascade Saddle. Get a bit closer to the glaciers and perhaps some alpine glow when the sun goes down. I ended up pitching in a secluded hollow from the elements, mere feet away from a 600m cliff. It was beautiful. 

My first proper view of Mt. Aspiring and the Bonar Glacier. French ridge hut sat right on this mountain, now only visible as a mere red dot in the distance. 

A group of Keas joined me. Keas are extremely intelligent and curious creatures, and have no problem stealing hikers gear. Only around 5000 left in the wild, and I had 10 of them here. They sat like vultures waiting for me to drop my guard. Annoying, but undeniably pretty. 

Sunset continued the views.