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Craigieburn Forest: Nervous Knob & Hamilton Peak Loop
The Nervous Knob & Hamilton Peak Loop in Craigieburn Forest Park in Canterbury offers a rewarding shorter day trip complete with sweeping ridgeline views and a fantastic scree run. Other fantastic day trips in the Craigieburn Range are trips climbing Mt Izard & Mt Cloudsley; or the multi-day Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track. Or in the nearby…
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Tramping Gunsight Pass, Ruataniwha Conservation Park
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Hiking the Benmore-Annavale Loop & Sugarloaf Summit
Looking for a fantastic Canterbury day walk that packs in native beech forest, a tidy backcountry hut, and expansive alpine views without requiring a full weekend? The Benmore – Annavale Loop in Thirteen Mile Bush, capped off with a detour up Sugarloaf Summit (Pt 1203), ticks every box. Nearby to this are other fantastic day…
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Mt Potts: A Winter Loop in Hakatere Conservation Area
If you are looking for an incredible winter backcountry mission near Christchurch, tramping Mt Potts in the Hakatere Conservation Park should be right at the top of your list. When an airline luggage mishap leaves you stranded at the airport without your alpine gear, this stunning 4-day loop via Mystery Lake, Potts Hut, and Boundary…
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A Snowy Mt Oxford & Lower Salmon Creek Biv Loop
The Canterbury Foothills such as Mt Oxford, Mt Thomas and Mt Somers 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…
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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. Planning Information Topo Map BZ14 Mt BarthBackcountry navigation required. The snow poles to Dumb-bell Lake…
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The Princess Bath: A Winter Transformation on Mt Princess
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Mt Tarahaka: On the Road to Nowhere
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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…
