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
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
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
Ohau ski field is well known for having good access to ski touring. Indeed, search this website and you will find the posts for Mt Peterson, Mt Stafford and Mt St Mary. These peaks are accessed from the ski field, from above the top lift, via the south ridge .
by Zucco – St. Marys range ski touring – Awakino ski area, “the pearl of the Waitaki”, is located in North Otago and provides easy access to the St. Marys range via Kurow and a well maintained 4wd access road to the base lodge at 1200m. The field is open
In July 2018 we were fortunate enough to catch the St Arnaud Range after a cold NW front, which whipped a mass of moisture laden, cold air from the deep south and coated the hills with a stable puff of fresh cold powder. We joined a throng of keen Nelson
Mt Olympus to Cheeseman ski field is a suitably popular backcountry ski route, and is close to Christchurch. There are many good touring options in easy to moderate terrain. We did this tour starting at Mt Olympus, (after a good night of partying at the Olympus lodge) and heading to
Writing and photos by Daniel Clearwater – skied early June 2018 There we were, about to ski off a named summit on the main divide; where else in NZ can you do that without a helicopter, in a day trip? It had been grey and miserable for more than a
Ohau peak offers an easy ski tour and ascent. The snow line fluctuates throughout the winter, so one could assume a fair amount of tramping or mountain biking will be required tog get to the snow line. View Larger Topographic Map Access via Quailburn track or Tarnbrae track.
Once or twice a winter, a strong Easterly or South Easterly front pushes snow into the McKenzie Basin. Snow falls to low levels, often affecting SH8, and leaves Mt Cook Village and Tekapo township with 20cm of snow on the ground. When this event happens it is time to head
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