Liverpool Hut, Mt Aspiring National Park Moderate-Hard

A four-day photo recce up the Matukituki Valley included a day at Liverpool ‘Biv’, as it is known locally.

I repeated the trip the following day from Aspiring Hut when the DOC ranger, learning of my background as a paramedic, asked me to accompany her to check on the whereabouts of some overdue climbers.

The climb to the hut, named after the nearby Liverpool Stream, is steep but well marked with one exciting section forcing you to swing around a tree with a fairly good drop below.

Though you can see the hut at the bushline, you must follow the markers up the ridge until well above the hut and then traverse across and down. There’s a short section of rock slabs to climb that are fine with care in good weather, but would require crampons in ice or snow conditions.

We arrived at the hut just as the climbers did – they had spent an unplanned night under the stars but were otherwise fine.

– Brent Hollow

Wild File
Access Raspberry Creek car park, at the end of the Wanaka Mt Aspiring Road
Grade Moderate-difficult depending on season and conditions
Time 5-7hr
Accommodation Liverpool Hut, 10 bunks
Map CA11