Woolshed Hill, Arthur's Pass National Park - 7 May 2016

As far as autumn days go, we were treated to one of the best - clear skies and, remarkably for this area, no wind.
Ian, Alison, and myself had made an early start in order to meet a dinner date at the other end of the day and, having driven to the Hawdon Shelter at the entrance to the Hawdon Valley, hit the trail shortly after 8am.
Woolshed Hill was the goal. Although the summit stands at a modest height of 1429m, its' location means it commands wonderful views over the surrounding area, particularly over the Waimakariri River as it sweeps past the base of the mountains in a braided, winding trail of blue.

A short stroll down to Kidson House (or Lodge as it's marked on maps) provided a warm up for the legs before the climbing began. There was no gentle introduction to this climb, we were straight into the steep stuff. My altimeter indicated I climbed 60m height in the first 3 minutes of walking, and the gradient didn't ease at all for the first hour, in which we climbed around 350m (with regular stops for a chat and to let the breathing settle!).
At the 940m contour we reached a plateau in the bush. This proved to be a transition point of sorts, where we left the steep slopes below us and ventured forth along much gentler ground. While still uphill, after all we did have the best part of 500m height still to climb to reach the summit, the gradient eased and the tramping was a delight, even more so when we broke out of the bush at just above 1000m. Here we were greeted by the golden spray of Dracophyllum, which painted the hillside with its' orange tones.
It was a truly stunning morning in the mountains. The sun, although shining brightly, was not yet generating a lot of heat, making for extremely pleasant tramping as we made our way up the open ridge. The ridge granted wonderful views all the way up the Hawdon Valley and across to the adjacent peaks lining Sudden Valley, but the most expansive view lay behind us, with the Waimakariri River cutting through the landscape, seemingly at our feet, and stretching away east and west on its' march from the mountains to the sea.

The ridge became rockier as we passed over Pt 1296m but was never difficult and we soon came to the base of the final climb to the grassy summit. We met a hunter here on his way down after an unsuccessful morning out, despite plenty of fresh sign, although on a morning like it was there could be little to complain about and he'd had an enjoyable walk.
The final 50m or so up onto the summit was of a steeper grade, although certainly not as steep as lower down in the bush, and before long we were stepping out onto the summit. As always, it was a fine feeling attaining the summit, even one so easy to reach and, having made decent time, we sat down to enjoy our time there over a leisurely lunch.
360 degree views were our reward for our efforts - north up the Hawdon Valley and to the Savannah Range, east into Andrews Stream, south over the Waimakariri to the Cass basin peaks and the Black Range, and west across the Hawdon to the Polar Range - it was all encompassing and magnificent.

With lunch behind us there was just the matter of the descent. We expected to make fast time back along the ridge to the bushline, and we did so without incident, other than meeting another party on their way up to camp on the tops.
The day was warming now, being just after midday, and we were pleased to plunge back into the cool of the bush. From there, all that remained was that knee-jarring descent back to the car - it was just as steep going down as it was going up!

Another great day out, hopefully I'll be back this way again, there's plenty to explore along the tops beyond Woolshed Hill.

The entrance to Sudden Valley, with Mt Foweraker (1804m) and The Pyramid (1608m) presiding

Waimakariri/Hawdon confluence beneath Mt Misery (1765m)

View into the Hawdon Valley from the ridge leading to Woolshed Hill

Gaining height along the ridge, spectacular scenery

Tarn on the ridge

Tarn on the ridge

Looking back over golden scrub on the ridge

Yes, I was there! (thanks Ian, my attempted selfie was an epic fail!)

Into the rocky stuff around Pt 1296m

Waimakariri River as it sweeps past Mt Binser (1860m)

Looking back along the ridge

On the summit of Woolshed Hill, looking north/northwest up the Hawdon

My proposed route to access the Savannah Range

View along the tops north of Woolshed Hill towards the Savannah Range

Polar Range - Mts Wilson (2035m) and Scott (2009m) just left of centre

Looking down into Andrews Stream, Brown Hill (1716m) left of centre and Pt 1709m on the right

Looking down our ascent ridge, with the Black and Grey Ranges in the distance

Panorama from the summit of Woolshed Hill

Ian on the descent, Mts Wilson and Scott in behind

Cruising along the ridge, delightful tramping country

Negotiating a step on the steep bush descent

Steps like this were typical of the track up through the bush

Steps like this were typical of the track up through the bush

Spotted this fine specimen on the way up & was treated to great lighting on our return

Crown Copyright - Land Information NZ

Access: Drive on SH73 towards Arthur's Pass and take the signposted turnoff to the Hawdon Valley. Follow signposts to the shelter and carpark.

Time: Hawdon shelter to summit 3hr, return 2hr

Map: BV21 Cass

Hut: None, although Hawdon Shelter can provide cover and does have a fireplace.

Castle Hill Peak, Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park - 3 April 2014

After having to twice cancel a weekend tramp into the Avoca Hut (still very much on the to-do list), due to firstly a chickenpox outbreak here in Oxford, then secondly the expected arrival of Tropical Cyclone Lusi, we decided to change approach slightly - with a mid-week day trip a good alternative. We had our bosses on relatively short notice that a day off was likely - as soon as a window of fine weather presented itself we would be off. This approach seemed to work well, and may well be repeated in the future!

Our goal was to climb Castle Hill Peak, which, at 1998m, is the highest summit of the Torlesse Range.  Porters Pass provided a good launching pad for the climb, enabling us to start at 942m, but by the time all the ups and downs of the travel along the ridge were factored in, we still had around 1200m of vertical height to be gained before reaching the summit.
There was no easing into this tramp. Most trips give you at least some flat ground to warm the muscles up before starting to climb but from the layby at the top of the pass it was straight into the climb. The route took us directly up the ridge to Foggy Peak, our first objective for the day. It's a climb of 800m altitude to reach Foggy Peak, which started moderately steeply but as we made our way up the broad ridge the gradient steepened ever more, with little respite save for one flat area at around 1500m. This is not technical climbing by any stretch - all that is required is the willingness to keep moving upwards, working your way up the ridge on a well formed foot trail. If you're eager to reach the summit of Foggy Peak then the numerous false summits may frustrate you, but on gaining the summit proper you will be rewarded with superb views.

Just below the summit of Foggy Peak we gained our first view of our goal - Castle Hill Peak, which was a somewhat daunting sight (at least to me anyway!), standing still high above us along the ridge, and seemingly still a long way off. From here we continued just a short distance to be standing atop Foggy Peak after a little over 2 hours, having had many a stop for photos and chatting on our way up. This is one of the joys of a day trip like this - being able to take the time to stop, chat, and look around, reveling in the majesty of God's Creation.
The view from Foggy Peak was stunning, taking in a huge tract of the Canterbury high country, with Aoraki/Mt Cook visible to the southwest. Even just to come this far would be a worthwhile trip, but we had loftier intentions so after a short stay we descended off the summit and began our trek along the ridge to Castle Hill Peak, which lay around 3km away.

From Foggy Peak we descended around 80m to a broad saddle, the downside to this being we had to regain that lost altitude. The ridge travel was straightforward, trending upwards (which became our phrase of the day), and in a little over an hour we were almost at the foot of the summit ridge of Castle Hill Peak. This final ridge rose very steeply in front of us, presenting one last challenge before we claimed the summit. By now we were all feeling slightly empty so found a nice spot beneath a rock outcrop to stop for lunch, refueling for the final push to the summit.
The view across the basin below was magnificent. Spread in front of us was the entire Craigieburn Range, with its' numerous ski access roads seen snaking their way up to the top basins where thousands spend their winters on the slopes.

After half an hour we were ready to go again. The ridge narrowed markedly, with steep drop offs on both sides but in the absence of snow presented no danger. I expect in winter it would be icy and probably corniced, so caution would be required in those conditions.
Despite the steep gradient we were buoyed by lunch, and by knowing it was now only around 180m height gain to the summit which, given the steepness of the ridge, would be gained quickly - one advantage of steep terrain - and after 40 minutes of steady progress we set foot on the summit. Unable to contain himself any longer, Ian had shot ahead, perhaps gripped by summit fever, so when Brent and I got our first look at the summit trig a short distance away, he was almost there. We were re-united a minute or so later, and engaged in the usual congratulations before dropping gear to enjoy our time on top of the range.

It is hard to put into words all we could see from our vantage point. Being the highest peak on the Torlesse Range meant we had it all before us. We took a moment to scout out the route to The Gap, a well-visited feature of the range, and definitely one we'd like to visit. The Puketeraki Range lay beyond, stretching off northwards into the haze. Moving anti-clockwise, the eye roams over all of eastern Arthur's Pass National Park, then round to take in the Craigieburns, with Mt Rolleston rising behind, and the Broken River/Castle Hill Village basin in front at our feet. From there the peaks of the Rakaia headwaters take centre stage, with the Arrowsmith Range dominating, and, further away, Aoraki/Mt Cook, which was even more striking from here, with Sefton & Tasman nestled either side. With a good collection of maps (I didn't carry all of mine) and compass you could spend an hour or more picking out peaks, passes, and valleys.

After half an hour we started our descent, now trending downwards as the saying went. It was amazing how quickly we progressed, the steep terrain offering fast travel. We were back at the saddle below Foggy Peak in 1 hour, and after the last climb of the day, a slow slog back up onto Foggy, we were relieved to be able to say that it was all downhill now.
From here we decided to abandon the foot trail, it compressed nature made it a little awkward underfoot when heading downhill. Instead we just went straight down, finding the softer, more natural rock slopes easier. One final stop about halfway down just to savour the final moments of a great day out, then we were back at the car, in exactly half the time it took going up.

A memorable day, suitable for anyone with moderate fitness looking for a challenging but rewarding day trip.

The view starts to open up as we gain height heading up Foggy Peak

Making our way up the ever steepening slopes of Foggy Peak

Time for morning tea, 400m above the carpark but only halfway up Foggy Peak

Looking down the Kowai River and across the Canterbury Plains

Not your typical selfie!

An indication of the steepness of the upper slopes of Foggy Peak, with Mt Enys in the background

Lake Lyndon, viewed from around 1500m on the way up Foggy Peak

A rare, in fact the only, flat spot on Foggy Peak Ridge - at around 1500m

Our first view of our goal, Castle Hill Peak - still looks a long way to go

Lake Lyndon, with the Hutt and Black Ranges and Rakaia River beyond, from the summit of Foggy Peak

Porters Ski Area (right), Arrowsmith Range (centre background), Aoraki/Mt Cook (left background)

Craigieburn Range, from Foggy Peak

View east, from Foggy Peak - Port Hills just visible in the centre

Peaks of the Torlesse Range - Castle Hill Peak at left, Mt Torlesse to the right

The route ahead of us to Castle Hill Peak

Arrowsmith Range

Aoraki/Mt Cook, seen from Foggy Peak

Looking across to the mountains of the upper Rakaia Valley, Arrowsmiths dominating

Canterbury Plains and the Port Hills, Waimakariri River on the left

Ben More and the Big Ben Range, with Mt Hutt right background

Descending to the deep saddle past Foggy Peak

An arrow marks the saddle, could be useful if returning in poor visibility

Striking out along the ridge to Castle Hill Peak

Good look at the broken, rugged terrain that typifies the Torlesse Range

Good spot for lunch, as we prepare to take on the summit ridge ahead

View across the Castle Hill basin. Porter River in front, Craigieburn Range behind

Moon faintly visible above the summit of Castle Hill Peak

Not a good time to slip, plummeting scree slopes fall steeply off the summit ridge

Making our way up the summit ridge of Castle Hill Peak

Looking down in the basin at the head of Ghost Creek

Ian makes a dash for the summit...

And arrives

On the summit of Castle Hill Peak (1998m)

Aoraki/Mt Cook, flanked by Sefton and Tasman, from the summit of Castle Hill Peak

Porters Ski Area, with the Arrowsmith Range a stunning backdrop

Mt Hutt

Mt Rolleston

Waimakariri River, with Christchurch city under murky cloud

L to R: Red Peak, Back Peak, Junction Peak, Otarama Peak (rear), and Mt Torlesse

Northern end of the Craigieburns, with the mountains of Arthur's Pass beyond, Mt Rolleston to the left rear

Broken River glistening in the sun, Mt Rolleston at rear

Descending off Castle Hill Peak

Surveying the route back across the tops

Easy travel along the ridge back towards Foggy Peak. Note the windswept profile

Great day to be in the mountains

Near the saddle below Foggy Peak, Ian well in front practising his scree running

Back at the saddle, with our final climb ahead of us

Who had time to build this anyway???

Peaks of the Torlesse Range, good reason to pause on the climb back onto Foggy Peak!

Checking the bat-phone on Foggy Peak

Lake Lyndon

Lake Lyndon, backed by the Hutt and Black Ranges

Final look at Castle Hill Peak and our route along the ridge

On the upper slopes of Foggy Peak - one has to be in awe of God's Creation

Descending Foggy Peak the fast way - straight down

Crown Copyright - Land Information NZ

Panorama looking west from the summit of Castle Hill Peak

Panorama of the Torlesse Range

Access: Take SH73 towards Arthur's Pass, and park at the top of Porters Pass.

Time: Carpark to Castle Hill Peak 5hrs, return 2hrs 30mins

Map: BW21 Springfield

Hut: None