All trampers have been accounted for and confirmed safe after the Dart River was blocked by a massive valley landslip at Sandy Bluff, about 10km above Chinamans Bluff.
The landslip crashed down about noon on Saturday, authorities said, and they warned it posed hazards for trampers, campers and boat enthusiasts.
Dart Track closed between Bedford Bridge and Daley's Flat. Due to major slips and flooding this section of the Dart Track is closed until further notice.
Doc conservation services manager John Roberts said many sections of the Dart Valley Track between Daleys Flat Hut and Bedford Stream ''are either underwater or are undercut and have fallen away''.
The track was closed between Daleys Flat Hut and Bedford Stream and would be for ''some time''.
New track to detour around Dart Valley lake and landslide
Walking access through the Dart Valley is set to be reinstated by the end of January. After several visits to the area DOC Rangers have now completed their survey of a new route around the large lake and massive landslide that blocked the track on the 4th January.
Senior Conservation Services Ranger Richard Kennett confirms "We have identified an alternative route for trampers that will take them safely past the affected area. A new track will now sidle above the recently formed lake on its eastern (true left) side, before leading trampers to the usual track over Sandy Bluff. After this point the track will then descend to the eastern (true left) bank of the river. More changes will be required here when the landslide has forced the river to erode the bank and undercut the track. As the realigned track will remain on the true left of the Dart River, the landslide debris will be avoided altogether."
SLIP STREAM – TE KOROKA UPDATE FROM 16th JANUARY 2014
The new lake on Dredge Flat continues to rise and fall on a regular basis.
DOC staff have noticed a 1/2m drop over the past week, but this could be reversed with as little as 30mm rainfall according to GNS scientists.
Today 2 massive rockfalls were heard and seen as the slip continues to fracture and collapse.
Large quantities of sludge also continue to run off the hill into the river.
Rangers will begin track cutting a safe high line around the lake next week (weather permitting) and it is hoped that trampers will be able to start using this part of Rees-Dart Track shortly after.
Richard Kennett
Senior Ranger / Conservation Services, Glenorchy Field Base, Wakatipu Area, GLENORCHY
Department of Conservation—Te Papa Atawhai
SLIP STREAM – TE KOROKA UPDATE FROM 24th JANUARY 2014
It would seem that the Rees/Dart Track will be open to through traffic on Monday.
The track is a marked and cut route only, heavy rain may prevent people from crossing some of the side creeks along Dredge Flat.
People should allow another 1-2 hour to their trip over the stated times between Daleys and Chinamans.
We will let people know if the track is ready for use any sooner.
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