Cascade Saddle Track
{{Short description|Tramping track in Otago, New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox Hiking trail
|photo = View of Cascade Saddle 2004.jpg
|caption = View of the Cascade Saddle from the Cascade Saddle Tramping Track
| length_km= 25
| location= Matukituki Valley, Mount Aspiring National Park, Otago, New Zealand
|difficulty=Expert
|sights={{hlist|Alpine views|glaciers|cliffs}}
|hazards= {{hlist|Avalanche|falls|rivers}}
|website={{Official website |url=www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/mount-aspiring-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/cascade-saddle-route/ |name=Cascade Saddle Track}}
|use=Tramping
}}
The Cascade Saddle Track, also known as the Cascade Saddle Route, is a {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on|adj=on}} alpine tramping track in the Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand that takes approximately four days to complete. It is known for its "spectacular" views but is considered an expert-level track due to the hazardous conditions.
Description
The route is typically undertaken from east to west and links the Matukituki Valley with the Dart River valley. The start of the track is accessed from Wānaka and the end of the track links with the Rees and Dart Tracks, with the exit towards Queenstown. Accommodations are available along the route in the Aspiring Hut and in the Dart Hut. There is a steep scrambling climb from Aspiring Hut towards the Cascade Saddle itself, reaching a maximum elevation of {{convert|1835|m|abbr=on}}. The views of Matukituki Valley from the saddle have been reported as "spectacular".{{cite web |title=Cascade Saddle, Mt Aspiring National Park |url=https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/trip/cascade-saddle-mt-aspiring-national-park/ |website=Wilderness Mag |access-date=21 December 2023 |date=26 September 2021 |archive-date=21 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521082741/https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/trip/cascade-saddle-mt-aspiring-national-park/ |url-status=live }} The route then follows the left bank of the Dart River and includes views of the Dart Glacier.
The tramping route has been highlighted as one of the most dangerous, both in New Zealand and worldwide, due to the hazardous alpine nature of the track. The route is maintained by the Department of Conservation, who recommend it is best attempted by experienced trampers.{{cite web |title=Cascade Saddle Route |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/mount-aspiring-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/cascade-saddle-route/ |website=Department of Conservation |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603045744/https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/mount-aspiring-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/cascade-saddle-route/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Minihane |first1=Joe |title=11 of the world's most dangerous hiking trails |url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/world-dangerous-hiking-trails-cmd/index.html |access-date=21 December 2023 |work=CNN |date=16 July 2022 |archive-date=18 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718123339/https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/world-dangerous-hiking-trails-cmd/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Deguara |first1=Brittney |title=The most dangerous and deadly places to tramp in New Zealand |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/118176741/the-most-dangerous-and-deadly-places-to-tramp-in-new-zealand |website=Stuff |access-date=20 December 2023 |date=12 January 2020 |archive-date=7 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207022814/https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/118176741/the-most-dangerous-and-deadly-places-to-tramp-in-new-zealand |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Deb |first1=Soham |title=10 Of The World's Most Dangerous Hiking Trails |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/travel/10-of-the-world-s-most-dangerous-hiking-trails-news-198233 |website=Outlook India |access-date=20 December 2023 |date=30 December 2022 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220122419/https://www.outlookindia.com/travel/10-of-the-world-s-most-dangerous-hiking-trails-news-198233 |url-status=live }} A 2014 proposal to install safety rails was not adopted, partly so as not to encourage attempts by less-experienced hikers.
Incidents
In 2005 an Irish doctor, Donal Deery, lost his life on the Cascade Saddle in a {{convert|250|m|abbr=on}} fall to save the life of his partner.{{cite news |title=Tramper sacrificed his life for partner |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tramper-sacrificed-his-life-for-partner/PUAR3GEOHJTP7OXMJQDQOR6Z2I/ |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=13 January 2005}}
In 2012, a senior software engineer employed by Google, Frank Spychalski, died on the Cascade Saddle route after falling {{convert|200|m|abbr=on}}.{{cite news |last1=Roxburgh |first1=Tracey |title=Coroner raises questions on safety of Cascade Saddle |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queenstown-lakes/coroner-raises-questions-safety-cascade-saddle |access-date=20 December 2023 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=8 August 2013 |archive-date=23 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023095700/https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queenstown-lakes/coroner-raises-questions-safety-cascade-saddle |url-status=live }} There have been a number of other fatalities reported, with at least 10 lives lost over several decades.{{cite news |last1=Ibbotson |first1=Lucy |date=3 April 2014 |title=Deadly alpine track unlikely to get safety structures |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/deadly-alpine-track-unlikely-to-get-safety-structures/ANOLOCMLF7CWVCUSZUXD7NDJCI/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221004800/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/deadly-alpine-track-unlikely-to-get-safety-structures/ANOLOCMLF7CWVCUSZUXD7NDJCI/ |archive-date=21 December 2023 |access-date=20 December 2023 |work=NZ Herald}}{{cite news |last1=Price |first1=Mark |title=Cascade crossing may be made safer |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/cascade-crossing-may-be-made-safer |access-date=20 December 2023 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=2 April 2014 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701033332/https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/cascade-crossing-may-be-made-safer |url-status=live }}
References
{{Commons category|Cascade Saddle Track}}
{{Reflist}}
{{coord|44|28|40|S|168|39|38|E|display=title}}
{{Mount Aspiring National Park}}
{{Authority control}}