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A Snowy Mt Oxford & Lower Salmon Creek Biv Loop
The Canterbury Foothills offer some of the best front-country tramping in New Zealand, especially when a sudden winter storm turns the ridges into a magical winter wonderland. After spotting a perfect weather window paired with cheap flights to Christchurch, I jumped at the opportunity for a spontaneous solo mission. I picked the Mt Oxford area…
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Climbing Mt Gladwish: The Uniquely Cheerful Gem in the Ahuriri Valley
Mt Gladwish (1,861m) is a peak with a uniquely cheerful name nestled in the rugged Ahuriri Valley. While it hasn’t been climbed particularly often in the past, its inclusion in the newly published New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) book The High Pathways by Paul and Shelley Hersey is rightly putting it on the radar for…
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Dumb-bell Lake with the Flying Dumbo Elephant
Ever wanted to visit a lake that reminds you of the whimsical flying circus elephant Dumbo with his large flappy ears? Dumb-bell Lake, above Lake Ōhau, is as charming as the cartoon elephant Dumbo and well worth all the climbing. A Solo Alpine Mission Above Lake Ōhau to Dumb-bell Lake Dumb-bell Lake is a place…
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The Princess Bath: A Winter Transformation on Mt Princess
Tony told me he knew of a mountain that could transform a rebel Sarahsaurus dinosaur into a princess. All she had to do was take a “princess bath.” Naturally, we headed into the St James Conservation Area to find out if the legend was true. The Approach: Maling Pass Road in Winter After camping in…
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Mt Tarahaka: On the Road to Nowhere
Nothing is ever simple in the Seaward Kaikōura Range in Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park. Tony and I have a running record with this rugged terrain where trips rarely go to plan. From the “Shattered Peak” mission to our trip into Jam Hut, this range always keeps us on our toes. Our recent…
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Solo in Nelson Lakes: From Mt Angelus to the quiet Mahanga Range & D’Urville Valley
Nelson Lakes National Park is home to some of New Zealand’s most iconic tracks. After previously tackling Robert Ridge in winter, I returned in summer to climb Mt Angelus (Maniniaro) and explore the rugged & less-travelled Mahanga Range. This trip report covers the transition from the popular Angelus Hut area to the quieter, and sometimes…
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Jam Hut via George Saddle: Lost in a Maze of Boulders
If you are looking for a completely off-track adventure with a healthy dose of boulder-hopping, and a visit to one of New Zealand’s seldom visited huts, then look no further than Jam Hut in the Seaward Kaikōura Range. Located in the Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Clarence, this trip is not for the faint of…
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Matiri Range: Finding the Needle in the Haystack on the 1000 Acre Plateau
An epic 5 day traverse from Wangapeka over the Matiri Range to the Haystack, Needle and 1000 Acre Plateau. Involves plenty of travel off track, time above bushline and a challenging bush bash. Tony assured me that I would be able to find the Needle in the Haystack easily – he wasn’t wrong but our…
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Two Thumb Range: The Dog Kennel, Kea’s Loot & Trojan War
A spectacular off-track 5 day loop in the Two Thumb Range from Mesopotamia over Brabazon Saddle, Inkerman Saddle, Alma Col and Balaclava Saddle. The Two Thumb Range in Canterbury’s Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Area offers some rugged and remote tramping experiences through impressive, glacial valleys. A rewarding stop at Mount Somers Village Our recent mission…
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The Wye Creek Route: A Remarkables Range Traverse
The jagged silhouette of the Remarkables Range is the first thing most people see when visiting Queenstown. For years, the Wye Creek route was just a line on a topo map for me. A logistical puzzle of an alpine one-way route that seemed perpetually out of reach. But when we had a spare day in…
