Be inspired by bigger adventures and mountain grandeur at this age-old base.

Carrington Hut has been a base for trampers and climbers for nearly 100 years. Encircled by peaks at the confluence of the White and Waimakariri rivers, it is a great place to draw inspiration for future adventures. 

It’s a 16km tramp up the Waimakariri River to the hut. If flows are low, start at Klondyke Corner and walk up the river. Otherwise, use O’Malley Track as far as Anti Crow Hut, 8km upstream, and possibly further. O’Malley Track is an easy walk, first through bush then directly across vast Turkey Flat, Jordan Stream’s broad alluvial fan. 

From Anti Crow Hut the track crosses Anti Crow River to a rocky point with a panorama of the upper Waimakariri Valley. This small summit is impressive, the colours and alpine grandeur reminiscent of Fiordland’s Key Summit, albeit with less drama.

A light descent leads to the Waimakariri, which you must now cross because the track disappears and the river flows hard against the true right bank. Once on the north bank, aim for the bluff, where you can cross the river again if it is safe to do so, aiming for Greenlaw Creek. Alternatively, bush bash over the bluff to find a better crossing point further upstream. You should be back on the true right bank of the river by the time you get to Harper Creek (approx. 5.5km from Anti Crow Hut). Note: the Carrington Hut route is likely to be impassable when the Waimakariri is high or in flood. 

Greenlaw and Harper creeks offer opportunities to fill water bottles. It’s about 2.5km from Harper Creek to Carrington Hut and the route is increasingly enclosed by steep and snowy summits. Easy and forgiving terrain combined with beech forest and grassy river flats makes this glorious tramping territory. 

Carrington Hut appears suddenly, a welcome sight in an attractive clearing. Its sunny porch looks up to hulking Carrington Peak and its icy palisades.

The hut was named for Gerard Carrington who helped instigate Canterbury Tramping Club in 1925. Carrington was a champion of the hut’s construction, but drowned in the Waimakariri before it was complete. The current building dates from the 1970s and is the third iteration.

From Carrington, opportunities for adventure exist in many directions, including Harman and Whitehorn passes, Barker Hut and Waimakariri Falls. It’s worth strolling up White River to admire the Shaler Range.