August 15 2020 The Godley Glacier is at the northern end of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. There are three branches of the glacier; the Neish Plateau, the Amherst/Mt Shyness glacier, and the Terra Nova pass/McClure branch. These spill together to form the Godley Glacier, which eventually melts its way into the Godley Lake. The Neish…
Tag: Heli access
Kaimakamaka Peaks, Ben Ohau Range
I understand that Kaimakamaka means ‘knucklebones’ in Maori. If this is so, then the peak is aptly named, as it sits like a solid fist on the ridge; rocky knuckles festooned with steep parallel couloirs. When the springtime snow line is high, a quick flight up to the Kaiamakamaka peaks is worthwhile. This area gets…
Barron Saddle Hut; Mt Bannie and High Traverse to Sawyer and Hoophorn, Sealy Range, Mt Cook
Joel O’Rourke & Hans Anderson. On the weekend of the 22 and 23 September 2018, Hans Anderson and myself flew into Barron Saddle Hut in search of an adventure. Barron Saddle Hut and surrounds We flew in with Helicopter Line from Glentanner Station (flight cost $770). Hans excited for heli-rides (and his reflective sunglasses) The…
Jacks Stream and Stony Stream, Ben Ohau Range
Jacks Stream, and Stony Stream offer good interesting ski touring on a range of terrain and aspects. There are a lot of south facing slopes that can hold powder in good conditions well after a storm has departed. The basins at the heads of the streams are relatively low angle, with steep headwalls. There are…
The Cass Valley, Memorial and Lady Emily Huts, “The Scorpion” ski tour loop, Gamack Range
“The ‘Scorpion” is a well traveled and rewarding backcountry ski tour, taking in some gorgeous valleys, a fine alpine pass, and lovely some bowls. A deservedly popular backcountry ski loop. Where: The Cass River Valley lies on the western side of Lake Tekapo. Access is solely through Glenmore Station and booking ahead is necessary as…
Mt Mary to Glentanner – heli access- Ben Ohau Range
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Couloir Atemlos -Tasman Gl – west of Mt Abel
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Whale Stream – helicopter access from Glentanner – Ben Ohau Range
A fine ski tour, highly recommended, with lots of variety. Whale Stream lies directly behind Glentanner heli pad and is just quick flight to the top of the valley. There are 2 branches, the north and the south branches. They are connected by a fine couloir of about a thirty degree pitch. These two valleys…
Black Peak to Treble Cone via Poolnoon Burn – Harris Mountains
A superior ski tour from Black Peak back to Treble Cone Ski Field is via the Poolnoon Burn. This makes a good long day ski tour using Heli access from Cattle Flat, flying to the summit of Black Peak (Aspiring Helicopters -(03) 443- 7152. The cost should be around $100 mark for the one way…
Garvie Mountains – Blue Lake Huts – Backcountry ski tour
Here is a five star ski tour in the Garvie Mountains, SE of Queenstown. The Blue Lake Huts makes a wonderful base from which to explore from. The terrain has something for everyone; steeps, rolling ridges, bluffs, lakes, chute, ice climbing. Note – this is on private land and permission is required before proceeding. View…