Seaward Kaikoura Range Traverse
Hello everyone, I'm new here, from Melbourne.
I'm in the preliminary stages of considering a traverse of the Seaward Kaikoura Ranges in late December 2015. Up George Spur, to Tarahaka, to Te-au-Whakere, Surveyor Peak, Manakau, Saunders and Snowflake then down Homestead Spur.
I can't find heaps of information and have just been looking at the topos (I understand it is probably included in the NZAC book for the area, can anyone confirm this?). Is this walk feasible? How long might it take, roughly? I estimate about 5 days not accounting for bad weather, but I have little idea of the terrain.
Has anyone on the forum done this route, or something similar, and have any thoughts or recommendations?
Thanks in advance!
Sounds like a mission.
Some info that might help you :)
http://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/kaikoura/seaward-kaikoura-range/manakau
http://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/kaikoura/seaward-kaikoura-range/tarahaka
http://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/kaikoura/seaward-kaikoura-range/te-ao-whekere
http://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/kaikoura/seaward-kaikoura-range/saunders
http://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/kaikoura/seaward-kaikoura-range/snowflake
Unless you are confident climbing and scrambling over rotten rock and along rotten razor ridges I suggest thinking hard before attempting this route.
A group of us were planning to climb Snowflake, then traverse the ridge over to Shattered Peak before following a spur back down to the river below.
We only made it as far as the minor summit on Snowflake, then got stopped by a crumbling razor ridge, which was followed by a fairly steep climb up rotten slabs. One side was certain death, the other was probable dead. So we abandoned the attempt, a couple of us went about halfway along the rotten ridge before turning back. The traverse is possible by confident climbers, but not a safe walking route.
There was a 6.2 quake, April 24, in the region. Resident saw dust clouds off slips on Mt Fyffe.
Might pay to ask if things have changed any ?.
Thanks for the replies.
I'm a fairly experienced backcountry hiker and am not unfamiliar with rockclimbing so rock scrambling isn't out of my comfort zone, that said I am used to pretty solid rock and I understand the Kiwi stuff is pretty rotten sometimes :-)
Yes, might be worth trying to get a post-quake update.
Sounds like my priority should really be lining up a buddy or two to take this on with; sounds too iffy to be going solo, even though that's my usual MO.
I'm not really up on the rock climbing, but there were plenty of Aussies trekking around Lake Angelus - Blue Lake a month or so ago.
One couple were bagging peaks around LA. Another recc'ed Moss Pass before going over Waiau Pass. Moss Pass isn't anything to worry about, but both were shaking their heads at how 'hairy' it could be on what we know as 'weetbix' structured rock.
Just a heads-up.
I haven't personally done anything in the seaward range but yes the traverse you mentioned is apparently quite feasible, according to the guide book anyway.
From my experience in the inland Kaikouras, I know these ranges are best climbed in late winter, when there is a good amount of solid snow about. This makes these choss pile routes somewhat different than you will encounter in summer... I know most of the routes in the guide book are winter climbs
Cheers Pro-active and pipeking. :)
I climbed Tarahaka via George Spur and there was one section of evil weetbix on the ridge on the way there. I gave it a miss on the way back but wasn't sure if the unstable gully I used was any safer. On that ridge, Frank grabbed a rock on the ridge and the rock beneath his feet moved so he went a bit lower when that happened. I suspect with a bit of snow remaining on the ridges, this traverse would be a bit more pleasant.
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| Forum | Tracks, routes, and huts |
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| Started by | kaylee_frye |
| On | 25 April 2015 |
| Replies | 8 |
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