What is the Brewster Hut Track like?  The details

I completed this walk with my 5,8 and 10 year olds who are experienced trampers.  They carry their own gear, are good underfoot and have hiked many long distance trails up to 18km in a day.  I’ll note again that this isn’t a beginners track and it is very tough.

Despite a 0 degree morning, we had great sunny weather, we had contacted DOC visitor centre about the snow conditions at the hut, to which they said there hadn’t been any recently and we should be able to reach the hut with no problems.

The river crossing was a bit of a fail and I decided we should just take our boots off and walk across, so we didn’t have wet feet for the whole tramp.  Well, the water was so freezing, the kids freaked out and that wasn’t exactly a good start.  But, it was only a few minutes, they didn’t die and recovered quickly (on the way out we just walked in our boots and our feet didn’t even get cold)

Find a patch across the river that isn’t too deep.  We could see the marker ahead of us on a tree, but headed a bit to the right first to get a good angle.  Please make sure you know how to cross a river safely as a group before attempting and do not attempt if the river is too deep.  If you have hiking poles, I’d definitely recommend them, for the river crossing and the descent.

You’ll then see the big beech forest ahead of you and bar the first 100 steps, that is the last you will see on flat ground.

The word of the day is relentless.  The track climbs steadily all the way to the top of the bushline.  You’ll hold onto tree roots to pull yourself up and you’ll get some good butt muscles I tell you.  A pack with overnight gear will make this harder but I wouldn’t trade the views for a day climb, definitely worth staying overnight.

We took a morning tea break after an hour and lots of little pauses along the way.  It really is just one foot in front of the other and while the photos look peaceful and idyllic even, it was hard work and all we wanted to do was get out of the bush.

For our family, it took us about 3 hours and 15 minutes to get out of the bush, then we had about 30 minutes for lunch, and then there was another 40 minutes or so to the hut.

Once you get out of the bush, there’s another steep climb or so, and then you are finally at the ridgeline section.  This ridgeline is my favourite part of the hike and while it’s still uphill, the views and hope keep you going.  You’ll spot the DOC red toilet first and then you know you are close.  It’s amazing how much more energy you get when you know you are almost there

The hill are alive!! You have made it to Brewster Hut.  After that slog, you need a pat on the back.