Silent Hiking the Rees Dart Track with Guide

[@PhotoAllanRich]

My fav walk in my time in NZ. Hopefully it won't become a great walk and remain quieter than some others. Part of the appeal, that and the amazing views from Cascade Saddle.

[@shoutatthesky]

These "best hike" videos are hilarious! We just send the tourists to these places to keep the really good tracks less crowded. I once walked for eight days on a well formed trail without seeing another person. It was bliss.

[@CaryMercer]

That's great.

[@shoutatthesky]

@@CaryMercer It really is! You only have to walk the Tongariro Crossing to see how popularity ruins these special places.

[@jimmilne7612]

Great vid. Hopefully, I will be doing this next year.

[@CaryMercer]

Hi! Thank you. I hope you do it. It was some of the most enjoyable walking for me since the start of my channel. I love New Zealand!

[@hikesome]

Simply wonderful Cary! Incredible scenery and stunning shots as always. Mount Aspiring NP is definitely on my list now! Thank you so much for inspiring

[@CaryMercer]

Hey Mario! A road trip around the South Island of New Zealand is a must do. Thanks for your support.

[@russelldesilva1560]

Second the comment about the side trip to cascade saddle, it's actually the highlight, and there is a lot of competition.❤

[@peterarcher9688]

Beautiful photography of magnificent scenery, Cary. Thank you very much. I'm past tramping in such places, but you have me me live vicariously! Best wishes with your travels.

[@CaryMercer]

Thank you, Peter. I appreciate your comment. Thanks for watching.

[@matts6042]

Another gorgeous video. Thanks Cary!

[@CaryMercer]

Hey Matt. Thanks for watching. My pleasure.

[@TrevorBlake-d2f]

Beautifully filmed, Cary. I did this walk in March 2023. You've captured its essence very well - I don't know how you managed to do this while also completing the walk in 3 days!

[@CaryMercer]

Hey Trevor, I appreciate you subscribing and leaving a comment. It means a lot to me, and I'm happy that you got to experience this spectacular track. I walked 31.5 hours over those three days, so some longer days.

[@russelldesilva1560]

Also my favourite NZ hike. I have by no means done them all. But this topped the routeburn, Tongariro circuit, mt Taranaki, Nelson Lakes, and the Kepler Track, all of which were beautiful. The scenery is fantastic the entire distance.

[@CaryMercer]

Hi Russell. Thanks for watching and commenting. I can easily see this track increasing in popularity. It was perhaps my favorite three days over the course of my two months in New Zealand. I'm very happy I went up to cascade saddle. Like you said, it was one of the highlights.

[@abalone317]

Beautiful video, thank you so much for sharing! Can you camp anywhere you'd like along the trail? Or does it need to be next to a hut?

[@CaryMercer]

Thank you! At the huts. First day I walked a little too far and I had to improvise the campsite. It worked out okay, but the rangers certainly would like people at the huts.

[@teepatchong5668]

Stunning views and beautiful scenery. Thank you! Is this shot using a Sony or Fuji camera?

[@CaryMercer]

Hi and thank you! Shot on Sony.

[@hikingzone]

Beautiful ❤️❤️❤️ Background music is it Free to use it...

[@CaryMercer]

Hi, thank you. I use Musicbed.

[@parkerwai485]

Hey Cary! Nice video, I am going there soon, and can I ask you what equipment did you use to film and take pictures?

[@CaryMercer]

Hi Parker! Thanks, I appreciate you watching and asking. I have my gear here-lighterpack.com/r/5xoo8x

[@maciejsiedziako680]

What is the ambient music in the background?

[@CaryMercer]

Hi, thanks for watching. I get all of my music from Musicbed. I used some work by Alaskan Tapes, Inola, and Sun rain.

[@ryanwaterbury7069]

Hey Cary - curious if you can say more as to why this route was your favorite? Seems like you had good weather on this. Was that a factor? Or did you feel other factors were at play - maybe ease of the pass? Views? Would love to hear specifics. (I’m planning a 3 week trip to NZ this January and am overwhelmed by the options)

[@CaryMercer]

Hi Ryan. Thanks for subscribing. It means a lot to me. The weather played factor. Perfect hiking weather. I really like the Paradise area. These two valleys are beautiful. The side trip up to cascade saddle makes it a top hike for me with views of Mt Aspiring and the dart glacier. Lots of good hiking in NZ. Tough to choose. Can’t go wrong with any tracks in NZ, though. I hope to get back in a few years.

[@ryanwaterbury7069]

For sure - hope the channel does well. I expect there are tons of micro-climates in NZ so i'm thoughtful about trek selection based on where we can give ourself better chance of dry days. This trek looks like it could shed a bit of the maritime weather that rolls in. Nice job getting to Cascade Saddle - that opened up some ideas for me as i plan this. Appreciate the insights - hope you make it back soon. @@CaryMercer

[@CaryMercer]

Thanks Ryan. Also, if you are looking for a track with fewer people, this is a good option.

[@serverlan763]

Did you see any deer or chamois in your travels in these two valleys?

[@CaryMercer]

No