Two Thumb Range

NZ$ exchange rate

Included:

• IFMGA/NZMGA certified mountain and ski guide
• Department of Conservation licence fees
• Heated PRIVATE hut accommodation
• Local accommodation for any nights required during the trip
• Free transport (Tekapo - Mt. Gerald return)
• ALL meals (including snacks & energy bars) for the duration of the trip
• ALL avalanche safety and alpine ski touring equipment (with the exception of ski boots)

Meals and accommodation before/after the trip are NOT included.

Green : Minimum reached - guaranteed departure.
Orange : Only 4 or fewer places available.
Red : No availability.

↑ Fresh turns above Rex Simpson Hut

Rex Simpson Hut

Rex Simpson Hut sits at an altitude of 1300m in the Two Thumb Range. It is located in a beautiful setting, with great views of the Southern Alps and vistas over Lake Tekapo across the Mackenzie Basin. It is a fantastic location for star gazing - the Mackenzie District is renowned for the clarity of its sky and freedom from light pollution, which is why the area was recently designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Privately Owned

The Hut is privately owned by Alpine Recreation and is an ideal base for backcountry skiing with ready access to a range of slopes suitable for intermediate to advanced skiers. It is our base for the Tekapo High Country Hike in Summer and Alpine Ski Touring, Nordic Skiing, Snowshoeing and Instruction Courses during the winter.

Easy Access

No aircraft required: The hut can be reached in 3 hours' walking from the road end and is located at 1300m, in a beautiful setting, with great views of the Southern Alps and out over Lake Tekapo across the Mackenzie Basin.

Fully Equipped

The hut is equipped with firewood, gas, solar lighting, sleeping bags, bunks, pillows and mattresses, and nonperishable food. A wood-fired stove means there are good heating and drying facilities.

Facilities

The hut consists of three rooms, sleeping up to 13 participants and 2 guides in total. There are no showers, but warm water and a basin can be provided for washing or you can find a private spot somewhere along the alpine stream. The toilet is a traditional longdrop loo with a view!

→ More Rex Simpson Hut photos.

Fitness

A high level of fitness is required. Participants need to carry a backpack of about 8 kg plus their skis for 3 hours to the hut (550 vertical metres). On subsequent days packs will be light, but participants will be doing the equivalent of a six-hour walk/climb. Previous tramping or hiking experience is essential.

Skiing ability

The Two Thumb Range is suitable for intermediate to advanced skiers. Guides will give instruction on downhill technique as needed. If you have little or no off-piste skiing experience, we recommend spending 1-2 days before the tour with our private ski instructor at one of our local ski fields (Mt. Dobson, Roundhill or Ohau).

Ski Touring experience

No previous backcountry ski touring experience is required, however you are expected to have at least an intermediate level of downhill skiing ability (safe turns in untracked snow).

For beginner skiers Nordic/Cross-country Ski Touring is recommended, or for a non-skiing option we would recommend Snowshoe Hikes.

First Day

8:30am gear check at Alpine Recreation's Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo.

From Lake Tekapo township we drive along the lakeshore to the top of Lake Tekapo. 3 hours' hiking and/or skinning with a climb of 550m/1800ft brings us to the cosy Rex Simpson Hut, at 1300m/4265ft. The views over Lake Tekapo are expansive. Time for a short tour up onto Snake Ridge to admire the view and test our turns on the slopes above the hut or out onto Mt Gerald.

Relax with a hot drink beside the pot belly stove as your guide prepares a tasty dinner. Watch the sun set behind the alps and enjoy spectacularly clear displays of our Southern Hemisphere stars. No light or air pollution up here!

As the hut is fully stocked we only need to carry some fresh items of food (e.g. bread, fruit, vegetables, meat) and our personal clothing and equipment.

Subsequent Day(s)

Based at Rex Simpson Hut, we will climb the peaks and ridges nearby, with a good choice of tour options. Great views of Mounts Cook and Tasman from the ridge leading up from the hut, nicknamed "Snake Ridge". Please refer to the "Tour Options" section.

Last Day

Return to Lake Tekapo, after one of the shorter tours (e.g. Pyramid Peak), arriving back around 5-6pm.

↑ The Two Thumb Range above Lake Tekapo

Mount Gerald

Ideal warm-up or short tour after hiking/skinning up to the hut. Skin up to the saddle behind the hut, which leads into Camp Stream. Traverse out onto Snake Ridge and enjoy the ridge-top views, before dropping off ridge down to Mt Gerald Plateau. Good steep run into Mt Gerald Stream on south-facing slope. Traverse south back around to hut. 3 hours.

Beuzenberg Peak

Access Beuzenberg Peak (2070m) via Snake Ridge. Good terrain for skiers new to touring, with excellent runs through the bowls below Stag Saddle and a variety of descent options ranging in steepness on both the west and eastern sides of Snake Ridge. Great views of East Face of Mount Cook, Mt Tasman and other Main Divide peaks as you cruise along the ridge top. 5-6 hours return.

Pyramid Peak

In either direction this tour gives yet another perspective of the grand views of the Main Divide and out over the Mackenzie Basin with its turquoise Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. Camp Stream Gorge provides scenic skiing beside interesting ice formations in the frozen stream, while topping Pyramid Peak (1666m) expands our horizons in all directions. Multiple descent options, including the south ridge down to an old musterers' hut. 5 hours return.

Mount Hope Circuit

One of the favourites for advanced ski tourers who want it steep and spectacular! Option to return via Stag Saddle or Braun-Elwert Peak (2086m). 6 hours.

Peak 1972

A good option for advanced skiers. Cross Camp Stream and sidle to the saddle north of Peak 1666. From here either follow the ridge to the summit of Peak 1972 or sidle around terraces on the eastern side. A long steep descent route back into Camp Stream Valley. 5 hours return.

Coal River Headwaters

Through Camp Stream, then take a long sidle to the head of the valley feeding Coal River. On top feast on the views north into Bush Stream before coasting home with some easy traverses and dream skiing back into Camp Stream. 6 hours return.

The Royal Tour

For very fit and efficient ski tourers. The above tour can be extended to include a descent to Royal Hut, then return via Stag Saddle and Camp Stream. 8 hours.

Mount Toby (2222m), Captains Peak (2371m)

These peaks have been done by Gottlieb Braun-Elwert, Alpine Recreation's founder, as day trips from Rex Simpson Hut, but an overnight camp is recommended.

There are many variations on these tours. It's possible to spend 5-7 days based at Rex Simpson Hut and explore new territory every day, only crossing your previous ski tracks near the hut.