A different kind of Easter Bunny: Rabbit Pass

Tramping the classic crossing over Rabbit Pass, from the Wilkin to the East Matukituki; a tale to ramble on about when I’m old

The infamous Rabbit Pass has one of those reputations that makes it well-known in tramping circles. Invariably the question that follows any mention of Rabbit Pass is “what about the Waterfall Face?”. For the uninitiated my 1950 edition of Moir’s Guide describes it in the following way:

A deer track well to the right of the waterfall leads upward then out to the right across ledges, then back to the left along the ledge to reach the ridge 500 feet above the waterfall. This route would be dangerous in wet weather or if snow covered.

Only a small 500 foot climb on narrow ledges then… but I get ahead of myself, this story really starts with two chance encounters in 2020 with a marauding American cyclist by the name of Katie Russ. I first met this dubious character in the Caples Valley before running in to her again quite unexpectedly at Borland Bivvy later the same year. Through these chance interactions we struck up an acquaintance and when Immigration New Zealand was getting close to booting her out of the country we decided to set off on an adventure together.

Day one — 15 April

Kerrin Forks Hut to Top Forks Hut: 4.5 hrs (6–8 hr DOC)

The destination was (of course) determined the night before — Rabbit Pass if you hadn’t yet clicked. Just after 9am on the 15th of April we set off over the Crown range in her “shitty miniature white Honda” before parking up and sticking our thumbs out on the Wanaka-Makarora highway; destination Makarora. Several hitches later we found ourselves outside Wilkin River Jetboats, it was just before midday. We had a decision to make — with plenty of time left in the day we could easily walk up the Wilkin to Kerin Forks Hut, but Katie was keen on taking the jetboat. The $115 price tag seemed a bit steep when the alternative was only 4 hours walk up the valley. Despite my misgivings Katie forced my hand, telling me that she would meet me at the hut if I wanted to walk! So by 12:30 we were speeding up the deep blue waters of the Wilkin. We were making such good time compared to…