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Sourced from Topo50 Map BX15 Fox Glacier. Crown Copyright Reserved
About Sefton Bivouac
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Sefton Bivouac (Sefton Bivvy) is a hut located underneath the southeastern side of The Footstool. The hut is flanked by Tewaewae Glacier, overlooking the entire landscapes around Mt. Cook Village. If you climb a little bit higher than the hut, even Lake Pukaki is well within the sight. It is also the spot I had a quick access to the glacier. The view offered around the hut was so breathtaking that I would say it was the most rewarding hike of the area.
The Challenging Route
The first section of this challenging hike starts from Hooker Valley Track. Then you will leave the boardwalk of this busiest track in Mount Cook National Park and head to the unmarked route. From there some navigation and route-finding skill are essential (although the route was actually not totally unmarked). A navigation device with an offline topo map and GPX file for the route will be your best friend to guide you, particularly when the visibility is not good.
While moving toward the upstream of Stocking Stream, the trail on this relatively flat section was not very obvious. It appeared when I was getting closer to the slope underneath the hut, the gradient became steeper, and the trail was also getting more obvious to follow. Please make sure you are already on the trail when the terrain is becoming precipitous.
There were several scrambles to negotiate the risky spots. âIf you are not afraid of heights, the climb should be alright,â that was what I was told by a hiker who just went down from the steepest sections. If you are experienced in multi-day hiking on difficult terrain, the sheer drops beside you should not be too worrying. Just be aware of your bulky backpack which may impede you or even push you aside on the narrow and steep path.
Overall, this is probably not a very physically demanding hike because of the short mileage of the route and the net altitude gain is about 800 m (from leaving Hooker Valley Track). If you plan to stay at Sefton Bivouac for a night, remember carrying a tent with you. The hut is small.
I hiked to Sefton Bivouac in March 2018. As it has been a couple of years ago and so my memory about the trip may not be up-to-date. Please read some recent trip reports for more update such as this one and the official information from DOC.
My Hike Note
I began the hike pretty early in the morning to avoid the crowded track as having a bulky backpack on Hooker Valley Track would look strange too. I walked fast on this highway-like track, so fast that I tripped myself with an embarrassing face-down fall on the boardwalk. Fortunately no one was around; my dignity remained intact!
Back then I just veered off the track at the location where was mentioned in one or two trip reports (according to a recent trip report there is an orange triangle on the boardwalk to let you know where to leave the track. So keep an eye on that.).
I was guided by cairns and my Garmin device which made navigation much easier and assuring. After I arrived the hut I pitched my tent at its back, a better option to stay overnight as the hut only had four beds. There were more people coming here in the afternoon but only a couple were prepared to stay in the hut. I walked further above the hut, put on the crampons, and had a short walk on Tewaewae Glacier before getting some meltwater from it, the first time receiving the water straightly from a glacier.
In the evening while I concentrated on my cameras, a vague voice, âHello!â, coming from behind.
As it was unlikely to expect someoneâs arrival during this late time I was not aware of that until I heard it again, which was from a guy in black coat standing in the dark! He reached the hut so late because he could not find the trail. Fortunately the hut still had the vacancy to accommodate him even it seemed he was totally unprepared for an overnight hike.
I was lucky to have a second clear morning; I descended very slowly and more carefully while passing the most dangerous spot. One or more teams were moving uphill when I nearly reached the bottom of the hill where the gradient eased off.
I think this route is never short of visitors who seek more challenges. The feeling of return to the boardwalk was very satisfying especially when I look back the incredibly steep slope under The Footstool and the glacier I have ever touched with respect.
