This solo fastpacking mission covered nearly 68 kilometres through Arthur’s Pass National Park, combining runnable trails, rough river travel, alpine tops and a night in the tiny Minchin Bivouac.
The Minchin Pass Route is an excellent multi-day trip in Arthur’s Pass National Park. I had previously completed it over three days a few years ago, but this time I wanted to do it faster and complete a slight variation of the route.
Location: Arthur’s Pass National Park, South Island
Track / Route: Variation of the Minchin Pass Route
Adventure Type: Overnight fastpacking mission
Distance: 67.92km
Duration: 2 days
Huts / Campsites: Minchin Bivouac
Date: 18–19 January 2026
Who went: Solo
Setting Off for Binser Saddle
The trip started later than planned because I had to drive about 45 minutes back home after realising I had forgotten to grab my Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket. It was a good thing I went back because I ended up using it a lot on this trip.
With a delayed start, I set off from my car, which was parked at the start of the Binser Saddle Track. I have spent a lot of time in this area and know it well.
The track starts with a steep climb over the first few kilometres. Binser Saddle unfortunately does not come with any views from the top, but you do get some nice glimpses of the Waimakariri River and the surrounding area as you climb upwards.
After reaching Binser Saddle, I enjoyed a cruisy run down towards the Poulter River. I did have to do a bit of stopping and starting because there was quite a bit of windfall along the track following the recent storms.
My Black Diamond Distance 22 pack was a joy to carry, and I loved being able to move at a quick pace through the mountains.
Casey Hut and the Poulter Valley
I made good time to Casey Hut, where I met two guys who were out for a trail run. After a quick bite to eat, I was back on the trail.
Casey Hut in Arthur’s Pass National Park.
Unfortunately, I thought I knew the area better than I did and ended up taking a wrong turn. Luckily, I checked my map not long afterwards, so I did not add too much extra distance. The next hut on my route was Trust Poulter Hut.
Trust Poulter Hut.
I did not stay long after signing the intentions book because the sandflies are quite bad in that area. I was nearing 30 kilometres for the day, but the travel was relatively straightforward as I made my way up the Poulter River.
Poulter Hut, not to be confused with Trust Poulter Hut, is a lovely building set along the banks of the Poulter River. The large windows provide excellent views up and down the valley.
The lovely Poulter Hut.
Lake Minchin and the Rougher Travel Beyond
After a stop at Poulter Hut, I continued towards Lake Minchin. This had been my campsite on the first night the previous time I completed this trip, and I was excited to visit it again.
Unfortunately, the water was quite brown, probably because of the recent heavy rain, and looked nothing like it had the first time I visited.
Lake Minchin.
After filtering some water, I did not stay long because there was a bitterly cold wind blowing.
Now it was time for the adventurous part of the trip. I had made good time so far, but I knew that was not going to continue as the route became rougher and I navigated my way upstream.
The track disappears not long after Lake Minchin, and you have to pick your own route up the stream, crossing where possible and weaving between the large boulders. Occasionally, I found myself forcing my body and pack through thick scrub while trying to avoid the speargrass stabbing at my legs.
Eventually, I reached Minchin Bivouac.
A Night at Minchin Bivouac
The tiny Minchin Bivouac.
Minchin Bivouac is a tiny, and I mean really tiny, two-person biv nestled a couple of kilometres below Minchin Pass.
It is quite small. I joke that it is more of a one-and-a-half-person biv, although DOC states that it is a two-bunk biv. There is not enough room to stand up, and inside are two small wooden platforms for sleeping, along with a small stainless steel bench.
It is not much, but it would make a welcome shelter if you found yourself caught in bad weather.
It had taken longer to reach the biv than anticipated, and I sat for a while debating my next plan. I decided to keep going up to Minchin Pass and make a decision from there.
Fighting through more scrub and bush on my way up to the pass, I was painfully aware of how slowly I was now moving.
Minchin Pass.
On the pass, the wind was bitterly cold, and I took shelter behind a convenient boulder to escape the chill.
The next part of my trip was going to take me higher onto the mountain tops. Deciding that it was too late in the day to begin attempting that section, I retreated back to the safety of Minchin Bivouac.
On the way back, I was very grateful for my Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket, as it helped block out most of the wind that threatened to chill my bones.
Home for the night.
Onto the Tops
After some cold-soaked peanut butter noodles and a nice night alone in the biv, I woke early the next day ready to tackle the next stage of my fastpacking mission.
The Minchin Pass Route would normally take you from the pass down into Townsend Creek, which flows into the Taramakau River. Townsend Creek is very steep and requires you to navigate large boulders while weaving your way down the narrow creek. It is very slow going.
Having completed that route already, I wanted to do a variation and head up onto the tops, sidle around Point 1796 and drop down to Townsend Hut.
I made good time onto the tops and enjoyed the sun as it poked above the surrounding mountains. Again, my Helium jacket protected me from the wind and morning chill.
Nearing Point 1796, I could not see a practical way to sidle below it, so I opted to scramble to the top and drop down from there.
This was an interesting section, and I put my poles away so I had full use of my hands on the frost and ice-covered rocks.
Dropping Into Townsend Hut
After a quick break on the ridge, I began picking my way down towards Townsend Hut.
I first crossed large boulder fields before bashing my way through the thick Westland scrub. Again, my travel was quite slow, and I spent a while fighting through the thick bush, with my legs getting quite scraped up in the process.
Townsend Hut.
After a long morning, I reached Townsend Hut and enjoyed making use of the awesome open-air thunderbox that has been installed there.
The open-air thunderbox.
Out Through the Taramakau Valley
The rest of the trip was fairly straightforward. I bombed down the steep track towards the Taramakau River and made good time running along the river flats back towards Aickens Corner.
Out via the Taramakau River valley.
My journey was not over yet, as it took me three separate hitches to get back to my car on the other side of Arthur’s Pass.
This trip was an excellent weekend out in the mountains, and I enjoyed being able to fastpack through one of my favourite areas in the South Island.
Gear Notes
Outdoor Research Helium Jacket
Super lightweight but still provides the protection I need when I am looking to save weight and carry an ultralight pack.
Mine is the older model, but the new Helium UL seems like an excellent choice, with the Toray 2.75-layer Dermizax improving performance and comfort. It is a great jacket to carry for those just-in-case scenarios.
Black Diamond Distance 22 Pack
A vest-style pack that has everything I need to move quickly in the mountains. I have put mine through its paces, and it is still going.
The pack carries comfortably, and the vest-style harness reduces bouncing as I run along trails. It is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to move fast and light.
What I Would Change
The main thing I would change would be to not forget my rain jacket. This delayed the start of my trip and meant I started later than planned.
The other thing would be to take into account just how much slower I move when navigating thick scrub and boulder-strewn streams. I had not anticipated it taking as long as it did, which is something to remember for future trips.
Apart from that, all of my gear worked great, and I am super happy with how my fastpacking kit performs when I do big days out in the mountains.
