Lyell Hut
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Hut
Hut
Lyell Valley, Rakia Headwaters
Owned by the Canterbury Mountaineering Club (CMC)
Access
The hut is most easily reached on foot via the true-right branch of the Rakaia river from Glenfalloch Station. Allow approximately 6 hours to Reischek Hut, followed by a 3-hour traverse over Mein’s Knob track to Lyell Hut.
Alternatively, you can use MTB’s or 4WD’s to cross to the true left from the carpark by following the power poles, continue on a marked track until it rejoins the river, from here cross and continue up the true right to the base of Meins Knob.
Meins Knob can be avoided by following the river on the true right about Reischek Hut until you reach a wire bridge, follow the true left along the old moraine until your near Lyell Hut then cross back at a very lightly cairn’d crossing point.
From Lyell Hut, the Garden of Allah is accessible via McCoy Col, Rangitata Col, or Lambert Col.
Facilities:
- 8 bunks with foam mattresses.
- Stainless steel bench, rainwater tank, solar lighting, and area map.
- Fire extinguisher, fire blanket.
- Outside long-drop toilet.
Rules
- Hut fees: Free for CMC members; $25/night for non-members.
- Camping fees: $10/night for non-members.
- DOC tickets are not valid for CMC huts.
- This is a non-bookable hut. Payment does not reserve you a bed.
History
Built in 1931 by the Canterbury Mountaineering Club (CMC), Lyell Hut was one of the oldest surviving structures in the Southern Alps. Materials were laboriously carried in by foot—a testament to early alpine perseverance. Explorer Julius von Haast famously praised the sweeping views from Mein’s Knob in the late 1800s. The hut overlooks Mt Nicholson’s commanding presence in the Lyell Branch and the dramatic Ramsay Face of Mt Whitcombe in the Ramsay Branch.
Climbs in the Area
Lyell Hut serves as a base for iconic 1–2 day ascents:
- Mt Nicholson: Adventurous routes from the Lyell Glacier headwall.
- Mt Malcolm & Mt Blair: Accessed via the Heim Plateau.
- Mt Whitcombe & Mt Evans: Technical climbs from the Ramsay Glacier or Bracken Snowfield.
Additional Notes
- Clean the hut before leaving
- Pack out all rubbish
- Close and latch all windows and door upon departure
- Report maintenance needs to the CMC huts team: [email protected]
- Respect the hut’s remote, alpine environment.
- Weather conditions can change rapidly—plan accordingly.
Free for members
Non-members: $25 night
- Owned by the CMC.
- This is a non-bookable hut.
- Use is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- All hut fees go back into hut maintenance.
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