New Zealand - Mount Burns

Four day mountaineering attempt on Mount Burns in the Southern Alps and Mount Cook NP. Our base town was Mt Cook Village. We climbed from Mt Cook Village to Mueller Hut (1830m) and were then trapped in the hut for two days due to a severe storm front (>140km/hr winds). As shown in our video below.

A weather window appeared on the 3rd day and we left the hut ascending towards the Annette Glacier using the high route below Mount Olliver and Mount Kitchener. Unfortunately further access to the Metelille and Sladden Glaciers was not possible via Annette due to open crevasses.

Melissa enjoying the views from the top of the Annette Glacier.

 Making the decision to turn back we established camp at 1830m to wait out another severe storm front with winds again upto 120km/hr (according to the Mt Cook NP weather report). Knowing this we took measures to ensure our camp survived the night using heavy rock anchors and suitable tent orientation.

Camp below the Annette Glacier at (1850m). We were later hit by a fierce storm all night. But the mighty Macpac Olympus and generous boulder supports and guides handled easily.

View from the rear door of Mount Cook.

The next morning we descended the high route to Mueller Hut and Cook village.

The DOC later told us that two Australian's attempting to climb Mount Malte Brun (also in Mt Cook NP) did not have such a comfortable night when their tent was completely destroyed and had to activate their emergency beacon to be rescued by helicopter!

We plan to attempt Mount Burns via the low route from Mueller Glacier in a few weeks time. However we may again be turned back due to open crevasses and glacial retreat.

For more images of this tramp goto the following page -> PicasaWeb Album of Mount Burns

Static view of the Route

For a Dynamic view of the route using Google Maps, Click here.

New Zealand - Plunket Ice Dome

Five day Mountaineering on the Plunket Ice Dome located above the West Matukituki Valley. Base town was Wanaka village. We tramped from Raseberry carpark to the NZAC Aspiring Hut. We ascended the very steep Cascade Saddle route from 430m to 1850m. Following this we establish a base camp beside Cascade creek for our mountaineering adventures on Plunket Ice dome.

After traversing the Governors Ridge to the base of Plunket Dome we roped-up and began ascending the Reid Glacier towards the summit of Plunket Dome. At about 30m from the summit we were forced to begin our descent due to very open crevasses, a large bergschrund and lack of time. However the weather was kind to us and we received good views to higher peaks and the Matukituki valley some 1.6km below.

On the fourth night we were kept awake from 2am to 5am by a Kea, which was relentless in its pursuit of destroying our equipment. The damn parrot was possessed!

Exhausted from lack of sleep we descended to the valley floor on the fifth day.

Brad transitioning from ridge to glacier for the ascent of Plunket Ice dome

Melissa looking up the heavily crevassed Plunket Dome.

Melissa near the summit of Plunket Dome. A large burgshrund and time halted our progress.

Suspect Tent Vandal

Brad back down in the Matukituki Valley with Plunket Dome, Islington Dome (2425) and Mount Barff (2252m) running from left to right.

For more images of this tramp goto the following page -> PicasaWeb Album of Plunket Ice Dome

Static view of the Route

For a Dynamic view of the route using Google Maps, Click here.

New Zealand - Greenstone/Caples Tramp

Initial tramp in New Zealand to help improve our fitness. A 5-day tramp up the Caples Valley and down the Greenstone Valley between West Coast and Central Otago. Base town was Queenstown with access via Glenorchy.

We had clear and calm conditions to entire time. This is a great introduction to New Zealand tramping.

Melissa resting on the porch at the Upper Caples Hut with peaks of the Alisa Mountains in the background.

Sub-alpine region of the Mckellar Saddle.

For more images of this tramp goto the fowllowing link -> PicasaWeb Album of Greenstone Caples Tramp.

Static view of the Route

For a Dynamic view of the route using Google Maps, Click here.