I really rate this ski tour. In fact, I would have to say its one of the best that I have ever done (!). I know, I know, that is a big call after 35 years of ski touring. But in its category, it is just superb.
Mid August 2022 In the upper back blocks of Tekapo there’s a high country farmer who’s always good for a yarn should you be fortunate to bump into him. He has got that Barry Crump kinda story to him, and yep, he’s usually near a Hilux. Kicking about his boots
21 OCTOBER 2021 Hell’s Gates is surely a name to attract someone looking for adventure. These are some rocky spires up at the head of a short gravelly valley above the Waterfall Hut, on the west side of the Cass Valley. This route is on private land
Driving between lakes Pukaki and Tekapo, state highway 8 winds its way to the North, then the East, and back to the west in a meandering fashion. It is kind of annoying if you are trying to get somewhere quickly. But every now and then you will find yourself looking directly at Mt Stevenson, crouching alone at the southern end of the Gammack Range.
The Third Waterfall Stream must surely have been named by a surveyor; a logical but a little unimaginative name for what is actually a wonderful valley . This is a stunningly beautiful spot overlooking the Macauley River. The Two Thumb range sits far enough to the east of the
This is the best ski mountaineering terrain in New Zealand. Or at least I think so. The Garden of Allah and Garden of Eden are two ice plateaus, each more than 10km long, lying parallel to each other. The Garden of Allah is to the north and the Garden of
We rocked up to Mt Cook village with a plan in mind. But the weather does not always cooperate. A brief southerly front had brought snow to the mountains, just not where we expected. A quick back-up plan was formulated, and we flew in to First Creek. This turned out
Crossing the Tasman river is quite an undertaking. The water is fast and full of silt. You cannot see the bottom to cross, and the rocks are sharp and glacial. We once holed a raft crossing here. It is possible to cross the valley on the Tasman Lake, and Glacier
August 2020 This route is on private land (Glenmore Station) and so access must be negotiated prior to visiting. The Falcon’s Nest hut is in Tin Hut Stream, and can be booked for ski touring parties. There are bunks for 8 people. It has a fireplace, gas cookers, clean mattresses,
Pisa Conservation Area information for ski touring – submitted by WT. The Pisa Conservation Area is unique for New Zealand ski touring. The area is massive with a network of connected valleys (or burns) making for easy, safe travel. Non-threatening terrain and good access (very atypical for alpine NZ) make
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