Foggy Peak, Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park - 27 August 2019

Keen to get out and stretch my legs again, I headed for a familiar spot - Foggy Peak. I've been up Foggy a couple of times before, once before dawn to catch the sunrise, and again en route to Castle Hill Peak further along the ridge. Neither of those trips were in winter however so this trip held the appeal of a new experience of climbing the peak and enjoying the surrounds while blanketed by an attractive winter coat of snow.

Access is simple - take SH73 to Porters Pass, stop at the top of the pass, get out, and start heading uphill. It's a steep slog, with little respite, but by driving to the top of the pass you reap the benefit of having gained much of the altitude by car, although there's still 800m of height gain needed to reach the summit. Not a mountain to be underestimated, especially in winter when the ridge (being on the southern aspect) can be very icy, Foggy Peak presents an achievable challenge for those willing to slow down, stop the car, and explore.

Fresh snow on the pass greeted me as I left the car, a sign that caused me to glance up at the upper slopes, trying to determine how much may have fallen up there. Not easily put off, especially having made the effort to drive there, I shouldered my pack and set out. Conditions were idyllic - sun shining, and a very light breeze, all in all an absolutely stunning winter day...for now!!
It was easy going through the alpine scrub on the lower slopes, with around 6 inches of fresh powder snow underfoot, and I snaked my way ever upwards, at times following the prominent foot trail that led from pole to pole, and at others taking a more direct line.
Things changed about halfway up the mountain, somewhere around the 1300m contour, when a strong nor'west wind blew up unannounced (and un-forecast!). Powder snow was being blasted across the broad ridge which while not quite blizzard-like certainly made for a far more wintry feel. The wind-driven powder pelted my legs, arms, and, at times, face with such force that it felt a little like being blasted by tiny hailstones. Despite this, it did make a rather beautiful scene, with the fine particles of snow streaking across the snow slopes on the wind. My attempts to capture this effect on camera don't really convey how I saw it in person, but you may get the idea anyway when you see them.

Continuing on, after taking a moment to decide whether it was prudent to continue, soft, deep snow drifts between around 1300m-1550m slowed me down as I sank in to my thighs most steps. Yes it was tiring but was it fun...oh YES!!!
As I climbed higher, gaining the more exposed upper slopes, evidence of the regular winds that pummel the area came in the form of a stripped back, consolidated snow pack, the freshly fallen powder having been blown well off the ridge. Although a little icy in places, the firm snow offered quick, easy travel up the final 200m of altitude, the only obstacle now being the ferocious wind that was strengthening seemingly with each step.
I quickened my pace, keen to reach the summit and hopefully find a sheltered spot for a quick bite and to take in the all encompassing views. For those visiting Foggy Peak for the first time be warned that there are a couple of false summits, but the true one is definitely worth the toil required to reach it as the views are superb! On a good day, Aoraki/Mt Cook can be seen in the distance. This, however, was not a good day, and despite my efforts to hastily build a snow wall for a bit of shelter, the wind made the summit a rather unpleasant place to linger. With cold setting in as soon as I stopped moving, a few quick photos were snapped before I beat a humble retreat.

In order to escape the weather as quickly as possible, I took a more direct line down the ridge, taking care on the upper slopes to avoid a slip on the icy patches, before plunging into the softer snow lower down. Good fun!
Interestingly, conditions were still perfect down at the car - sunny and almost dead calm - and the numerous sightseers on the pass were blissfully unaware of the wind that raged several hundred metres above them. A good reminder to always travel prepared!

Wind sculpted snow on the lower slopes of Foggy Peak

Wind sculpted snow on the lower slopes of Foggy Peak

Lake Lyndon from about halfway up Foggy Peak, with an indication of the steepness of the climb

Southern end of the Craigieburn Range - Porters Ski Area to the left, Mt Enys (2194m) rear right

Snow being swept across the upper slopes created an interesting visual effect

An attempt to capture the wind blown snow

Spindrift blowing off the summit ridge of Foggy Peak

Just below the summit in a calm moment with peaks of the Torlesse Range all on show, from Castle Hill Peak (1998m) round to Mt Torlesse (1961m), with Red and Back Peaks in between

Lake Lyndon from near Foggy Peak summit, with Mt Hutt and the Rakaia valley behind

This photo doesn't convey how cold it was on the summit, with snow and wind blasting me

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

Time: Porters Pass to summit 1hr 45mins, return 50mins

Map: BW21 Springfield

Hut: None

Mt Lyndon, Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park - 4 July 2015

Well after what seemed like an eternity I finally got back out into the mountains. For several Saturdays various things cropped up that took priority over a trip to the hills, but with those behind me, and a superb forecast, there was no holding me back from this one...until the Friday before my trip that was!
Originally I had planned on climbing Hamilton Peak in the Craigieburn Range, with a tops traverse round to Mt Wall an attractive option on a fine winters day. However the day before my trip it rained quite heavily in the morning, before turning to snow in the afternoon, which then cleared and froze overnight. To cut a long story short, the avalanche potential was a bit too high for my liking, especially travelling solo, so I instead opted for a slightly lower altitude trip up Mt Lyndon, with the prospect of a traverse along the undulating ridge top to Red Hill if conditions were suitable.

At 1489m high, Mt Lyndon is a modest summit, easily accessible either directly from the main highway up its' northeastern slopes, or from the south after a short drive around the lake. The southern approach suited me well, meaning that if I were to traverse the tops I could easily return to the lake (and therefore my car) by the low saddle directly behind the lodge at Lake Lyndon.
I set off early, as I often do when tramping solo, looking to give myself every chance at making it round to Red Hill before the wind strengthened as forecast. One step out of the car at 7am had me questioning myself as to why I was doing this - a bitterly cold wind greeted me as I exited the cosy confines, but I reasoned with myself that it was only a very light breeze and I would soon be warmed by the sun once I started gaining altitude.

I made my way up the slope directly behind the lodge. There's no real route finding required, just start heading uphill and follow the ridge as it bends round towards the summit - and keep heading up until you can't go up any more!
Initially travel was up through extensive snow laden scrub, with the easiest route always being the one with the least amount of snow. It was slow going in places, with some deep pockets sitting in small hollows amongst the scrub. As I gained height however, it became easier to link together good stretches of scrub free ridge. On these sections the snow lay uniformly and I was able to make much better progress up and over several small bumps along the ridge. Along the way I was able to enjoy the wonderful spectacle of a sunrise in the mountains, with the light painting the sky over Mt Hutt pastel pink while away to the east past the Torlesse Range the golden glow of dawn soon gave way to sunlight on the ridge I was climbing.

At around the 1250m contour there was nothing but snow slopes ahead of me, with the summit of Mt Lyndon looming up in front of me. Initially I was able to make good progress, the firm, even snow cover allowing for fast travel, but it wasn't long before things changed. A few days during the week of nor'west winds had deposited quite a bit of snow on the slopes below the summit to the south, exactly where I was climbing. This, coupled with rain the day before which weakened the underlying snowpack, made for soft, deep snow. Every step saw me sinking in to my knees, in a few places I went in to my thighs - it made the final climb to the summit a slow, tiring one, and I was relieved to finally reach the top, 3 hours after setting out.
A cool wind drove me off the summit quickly, my fingers numb after firing off a few quick photos, and I found a nice sheltered spot behind a large tussock to nestle down for a snack.

As I sat and ate, I was eyeing up the route ahead. While not technically difficult at all, the route was well laden with snow and, given the conditions I'd just experienced, it was probably going to make for a very long, hard slog to get all the way round to Red Hill. There are, however, numerous exit routes along the tops, so I set off again, aiming for a low saddle a short way along the ridge which looked good on the map.
It was much easier going along the ridge top, with much on the powder snow having been swept off the ridge by previous winds, so I made good progress along the ridge. Part way along a strange sound was heard, and when I turned I found myself looking at either a chamois or tahr (I don't know what's what sorry!) eyeing me up no more than 100m away. I slowly tried to produce the longer lens I had in my pack, but it began to move away so I had to just use the wideangle - suffice to say the animal is a mere speck in my photos.

It wasn't too long before I was descending to the saddle, and the route down looked a good one so I quickly decided to make use of the pleasant looking snow filled gully dropping down from the saddle. The gully narrowed as I went, and was in excellent condition - good firm snow. I even decided to get some self-arresting practise in on the way down - good fun!
The gully gave me a rapid descent, and I soon found myself meandering alongside a bubbling stream. I criss-crossed my way down the stream, taking advantage of whichever side looked easiest. At one point I nearly had the misfortune to fall in, as the snow was suspended a metre of so above the stream itself - I could see this was the case, but that still didn't stop me from almost falling through!
The only obstacle in the stream was a small 3-metre waterfall, which was readily negotiated on a narrow animal trail that edged along the top of a bluff - a slightly airy moment, but easy enough with grasses providing good handholds.

The stream led out onto open flats, from which I gained access to the low saddle that leads back over to Lake Lyndon. Cattle were grazing through here, and seemed somewhat startled by my arrival so I moved carefully past them so as not to drive them up over the saddle - the fence preventing them from making the crossing was buried under snow.
From the saddle a short amble round the base of the hill soon had me back at the lake.

A nice outing on a cracking winter's day...makes me want to get out more in winter now!

First light of the day starting to spill through Porters Pass to Lake Lyndon

First rays of light hitting the snow capped peaks of the Mt Hutt Range

Setting moon behind Red Hill (1641m), from the lower slopes of Mt Lyndon

Looking down to the sun kissed peaks of the Mt Hutt Range

Frozen Lake Lyndon, starting to break up into large slabs

Frozen Lake Lyndon, starting to break up into large slabs

Wonderful glow of dawn. Foggy Peak (1741m) and Castle Hill Peak (1998m) left of centre, with Pt 1251m (known locally as Trig M) on the right

Sun creeping over Castle Hill Peak and the Torlesse Range

Light filling the distant Rakaia Valley - Mt Hutt (2185m) almost dead centre, with Steepface Hill (1876m) a little to its' right

The upper slopes of Mt Lyndon (1489m)

Mt Hutt, rear left, and Red Hill, far right - looks a long way round to Red Hill from here, but not so bad once on the tops

Pt 1251m (Trig M) right foreground, with the Canterbury Plains stretching across to Christchurch

Expanding views as I gain height on the upper slopes of Mt Lyndon

Don't overlook the small details - interesting frozen features dotted the landscape

Torlesse Range, from just below the summit of Mt Lyndon - Foggy Peak on the right, with the ridge along to Castle Hill Peak (highest peak in frame)

Knee deep step plugging on the upper slopes of Mt Lyndon

Summit slopes of Mt Lyndon, with the Arrowsmiths in the Rakaia Valley in the background

View in to Porters Ski Area, Blue Hill (1946m) at left

The tops route from Mt Lyndon round to Red Hill (the high peak just left of centre)

View through to Lake Coleridge (just visible) and into the Rakaia headwaters. Arrowsmith Range in the background

Blue Hill (1946m, left) and along the Craigieburn Range to Mt Enys (2194m, the high point on the range)

The long arm of the Craigieburn Range, with Pt 1456m in the foreground

Porters Ski Area

Spot me if you can - chamois/tahr on the scree slope centre image

Deep saddle between Pt 1456m and Mt Lyndon (out of frame to the right), with Cloudy Hill (1442m) along the ridge from Pt 1456

The saddle that marked my descent to the valley floor

On the saddle looking down my line of descent into the gully

Descent route off the saddle, with Mt Hutt at rear

Looking back up to the saddle

I could see that the snow was suspended a metre or so above the stream...but that still didn't stop me falling through!!

Pleasant travel alongside the small stream running down from the saddle

A small snag - a 3 metre waterfall

Below the waterfall. I bypassed it above the bluff on the left of image

Frozen features in the stream

Frozen features in the stream

Frozen features in the stream

Frozen features in the stream

Arriving back at Lake Lyndon

Crown Copyright - Land Information NZ

Access: Take SH73 over Porters Pass, then turn left on the marked road leading round the eastern edge of the lake. At the southern end of the lake, look for a post with a reflector on it which marks the turn off to get round to the lodge on the western side.

Map: BW21 Springfield, BW20 Lake Coleridge

Time: Lodge to summit 3hrs, descent via saddle and stream 2hr 30mins (winter conditions)

Hut: None, although the privately owned lodge at Lake Lyndon can be hired.