Lame Duck Hut
HutWestland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast
- Sleeps
- 4 bunks
- Booking
- Not bookable
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Boil first
- Toilet
- Non-flush
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzMap and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 43.70680° S, 169.86694° E
About this place
Lame Duck Hut is a Department of Conservation hut located on the West Coast of New Zealand. It provides basic accommodation for hikers and is managed by DOC.
On the way here
Karangarua and Douglas valleys routes · 2 days +
Cassel Flat Hut – Lame Duck Hut
Time: 7 hr From Cassel Flat to Lame Duck Flat follow along the river to the junction with Tui Creek where the marked route commences. Follow the river to the base of a scrubby face, before climbing steeply to the top of a prominent ridge. The route travels along this ridge above the bluffs and then sidles, gaining height through more bluffs at a higher level. The route is less defined here but is easily followed using the markers. Care should be taken on exposed, slippery stream crossings and especially when crossing a washout with 70 m exposure about two-thirds of the way along the sidle section.
After the gorge section the route traverses high above the river on poorly drained terraces before rejoining the river just below Lame Duck Flat. The four bunk Lame Duck Hut was replaced in 2008 by the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (West Coast branch) and the Safari Club International.
Lame Duck Hut – Christmas Flat Hut
Time: 3 hr From Lame Duck Flat follow markers through a stand of beech next to the river for about 20 min. The route then climbs about 100 m and follows roughly at this level to an old open slip face before coming out onto the face beside a prominent rata tree 50 m above the river. Descend across the face to the river. Cross the Karangarua River to avoid the bluff, recross, and then cross the Troyte River. Christmas Flat is about 45 min away.
The route starts close to the river, 30 m above the Troyte, and travels along a terrace for 15 min before climbing steeply for about 50 m. It generally keeps at this level until a grassy slip. Cross the slip and travel down it, almost to the riverbed, where the route re-enters the bush and continues to the four bunk Christmas Flat Hut. Important note: The route described below is only suitable for parties who are highly skilled and experienced, and well-equipped. The majority of this route is unmarked and parties require a very high level of navigational skills. The route requires good weather and snow conditions to allow for safe travel – high avalanche danger is possible.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Trip options
Walking times come from DOC track descriptions, added up leg by leg from car-accessible trailheads. Nights and return times are ParkUp estimates, allowing about 8 hours of walking a day.
2 options · 2 to 3 nights
Karangarua River bridge
Walking in
13 hr (via Cassel Flat Hut)
Walking out
13 hr to Karangarua River bridge (via Cassel Flat Hut)
Walking in
13 hr (via Cassel Flat Hut)
Walking out
16 hr to Horace Walker via Regina Creek (via Christmas Flat Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
Nearby stops
Christmas Flat Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • West Coast • 3.5 km
Christmas Flat Hut is a standard four-bunk hut located in the Glacier area of the West Coast.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Horace Walker Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • West Coast • 4.8 km
Horace Walker Hut is a standard four-bunk hut located in the Glacier area of the West Coast.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Cassel Flat Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • West Coast • 6.3 km
Cassel Flat Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Glaciers area of the West Coast.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Cass
Canterbury • 169.9 km
Cass is a campsite located in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. The available records provide no further details regarding specific facilities or amenities…
Walks nearby
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.