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
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 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
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
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
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 Ben Ohau range was named in 1857. The lease was first
“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
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