The Mueller Glacier page has route information for the Mueller side of the saddle. To descend to the Dobson, head east-south-east from the saddle on easy slopes, and then descend a moderately steep rocky gully that reaches the stream draining the south-western slopes of Mt Darby and Mt Marie at about BY15 584 497. Sidle out of the stream on the true left bank to reach a moraine ridge, from where travel is easier down into the upper valley (grade II, 1).
The saddle was first reached by Thomas Brodrick and Louis Sladden in March 1889. The first crossing was by E W Green and Mr Smart in 1905.
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Barron Saddle, Barron Saddle Hut and the upper Mueller Glacier, December 2013
This range is south-west of Mount Cook Village, and has spectacular views across to Mount Cook and Mount Sefton, and across the Tasman Valley. Access is often by helicopter from Glentanner to Barron Saddle Hut, or by ski plane that lands at the head of the glacier. Barron Saddle Hut (DoC) is comfortable for up to 8 people but more have been known to squeeze in! A tent or snow cave could be established in the vicinity, although this area is exposed to very high winds. The hut that was the predecessor to the present hut was blown off the ridge in a particularly severe storm, killing its three occupants.
There are short slopes around the hut that can be skied. Below the hut sits the Mueller Glacier. A direct descent below the hut would take you over bluffs, but a 1 km traverse to the left (west) leads down onto the upper Mueller Glacier. In winter the Welchman and Bennie Glaciers on the true left of the Mueller could be skied.
In most winters and into spring the Mueller Glacier can be skied down valley on its right hand side until under Mt Ollivier, and a climbing traverse then taken up to the new Mueller Hut (DoC, 12 bunks) at 1780m. From Mueller Hut it’s a 2½-3 hour walk down a steep track past the Sealy Tarns to the road end. With a decent snow cover, half or more of this walk can be skied, e.g. as far as the Sealey Tarns. This is the best exit route from Barron Saddle Hut, and can be done in a day comfortably.
Mueller Hut itself is a good base for a weekend or long weekend in late spring. The ski tour to the upper Annette Plateau and Metelille Glacier and return is straightforward, and gives spectacular views and good turns.
