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Castle Hill Peak (1996m) About 2 hours away from Christchurch lies Authur's Pass. This is the most accessible national park in New Zealand and attracts lots of trampers. Our first hike was Castle Hill Peak, about half way between Christchurch and the Pass. We drove out to Porter's Pass and had to use our route finding skills to get up to Foggy Peak, elevation 1500m. This part was very steep but the views were good - this was our first glimpse of the Southern Alps. At Foggy, we could see Castle Hill Peak - like a conical hat covered in dark green felt with a snow cap. Click Read More below...
We went down into the saddle and over onto the Peak. About an hour later we reached the summit (2000m). We were able to stop for a half hour or so to eat lunch. We got giddy because it was so warm and I made up the "Castle Peak Dance" and Chris struck some interesting poses. Coming down was a different story - the wind was unbeleivably strong and I feared we were going to be blown off our feet! Chris threw his arms out just to let the wind hold him up. All in, a 6-hour hike with a major elevation gain. Photos here. Avalanche Peak (1883m) This is one of the most popular day-walks in Arthur's Pass. You have to check in at the visitor's center first to make sure you can do it because it is very exposed. I was told I could only go up and down the Scott Track rather than do a circuit up the Avalanche track, but the destination was the same, so no big deal. I could easily walk to the start from our hostel and began around 8:30. It was a steep climb but the views were excellent - the weather was holding off for now. Once I got past the bushline, however, the rain started and the wind got up. I saw a glacier and got some good views of Mt Rolleston. The ridge up to the summit was exposed, but relatively easy. I was really surprised when I got to the top because it had only taken me 2 hours. I had expected it to take at least 3. I looked around a bit to be sure that was the summit, but there was no where else to go! Coming down was obnoxious - my knees get so sore and I was happy when I hit the road - it was also pouring rain at this point. A great hike for views (my crappy-ass camera managed a couple of shots) but too short - less than 4 hours round trip. Side-note: I really need to get better looking at maps. At the beginning there is a sign showing where you are and the peaks above you - pointing out which is Avalanche Peak. I was comparing the sign to the peaks in front of me. The correct peaks were behind me - I didn't realize this until half way up when I thought to myself, how am I going to cross the river to get over to the other side? When Mt.Rolleston came into view, I thought - wow, that's Avalanche Peak! I'd probably still be hiking if it was. I love hiking by myself, but Chris' spatial understanding definately adds to the experience. Photos here. Mt Hebert (1500m?) In Diamond Harbour on the Banks Peninsula, David and Allison have a small house, or 'bach' as they call it. It was fully furnished (including a 2-drawer dishwasher) with a fabulous deck and view over the Harbour. In between eating (pasta and a delicious homeade Tom Ka Gai), drinking (Speight's and Sauvignon Blanc) and episode after episode of Entourage, we found time to hike up Mt.Hebert. Easily reached from the Bach, we were lazy and drove to the start. This was more of a walk than a hike, but still pretty steep. The whole hike is up and across fields and for the most part, it was just us and the sheep. Lots of sheep. There were also lots of styles to cross. We saw one sheep carcass and one very stinky cow carcass. Lots of lovely-smelling yellow flowers. A really pleasant downhill made this hike a good one.
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