Arthur Harper reached Karangarua Saddle in December 1894. Later, with Ruera Te Naihi, he crossed into the Landsborough valley on a journey from the Karangarua to the Haast River and back in December 1894 and January 1895.
Karangarua Saddle, Mt Townsend and Fettes Peak, December 2015
Christmas Flat Hut to Landsborough valley via Karangarua Saddle
Route 15M, grade II, 2
There is no marked route upstream of Christmas Flat Hut. To avoid the worst of the scrub, follow the riverbed upstream to a prominent fork at BX15 522 544. There is a brief scrubby section en route on the true right to bypass some large boulders.
From the forks, climb straight up through tussock and light scrub towards Mt Howitt, then at 1300m head right (south-east), and descend about 20m to a level section of the stream draining the south-west slopes of Howitt. Cross the stream and walk up easy slopes to the saddle.
There is an exposed route into the Landsborough from the saddle. It is not technical, but care and a good head for heights are required. Head south-west on the Hooker Range towards Mt Townsend until immediately below the end of a prominent line of bluffs on the Landsborough side of the range (BY15 533 534).
Veer left and descend slowly along the shingle ledge just below this line of bluffs. Steep spurs of snowgrass break the ledge in two locations. Getting around these spurs requires a very good head for heights, but there are faint animal trails providing footholds in the dirt. The ledge leads to the top of a large scree slope below the east face of Townsend, which leads to the Landsborough River.
If the above description sounds intimidating, a more popular and scenic (but much longer) option is to traverse Howitt and the Gladiator to Douglas Pass.
Christmas Flat Hut to Karangarua Saddle: 3–4 hrs
Karangarua Saddle to Landsborough River: 1.5–2 hrs
