Although many great tramping tracks involve climbing part of or all of a mountain, this category is for routes that as a rule have either no track to the summit or require a greater level skill to navigate the terrain. We've tried to grade them based on summer/winter ascents as a route becomes advanced in our opinion once it necessitates the use of crampons and an ice axe. Please head to www.doc.govt.nz/ for more detailed information on ability and technical requirements if you are unsure if a trip is right for you.
CANTERBURY
MT POTTS - MODERATE/ADVANCEDMt Potts is a beautiful 2184m peak overlooking a valley so stunning it was the setting for Edoras in the second Lord of the Rings installment. The old, disused ski field road afforded us a leisurely path up to 1200m where we traded running shoes for our new mountaineering boots which were to be suitably broken in.
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AVALANCHE PEAK - MODERATE/ADVANCEDAvalanche Peak is a great little day trip for those who like breath taking views and punishing their quads. Starting right behind the Arthur's Pass visitors centre, the Avalanche Peak Track shoots straight up through some quite rocky terrain which is often snow covered before ending on a narrow ridge at 1833m.
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MT TORLESSE - MODERATE/ADVANCEDIf you're driving towards Arthur's Pass from the wide open expanse of the Canterbury Plains, chances are you've spent some time staring at the beautiful ridge line of mountains which mark the border between civilisation and rugged wilderness areas. The Torlesse Range features some great tramping mountains which are very climbable year round and easily accessible from the main road as it heads up to Porters Pass.
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CASTLE HILL PEAK - MODERATE/ADVANCEDAs part of the Torlesse Range, Castle Hill Peak offers views all the way from the Canterbury Plains to Porters Ski Field and Castle Hill Village. Just over an hour west of Christchurch along State Highway 73, Porters Pass marks the start of a relatively steep but enjoyable walk.
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MT CASSIDY - ADVANCEDI've been thinking for a while of heading off on a solo mission and overcoming a few fears that have been lingering in the back of mind. I wanted to climb something that would be physically challenging but also make me practice my route finding skills without having someone else to rely on. Mt Cassidy was a pretty perfect option for this. At 1850m the summit towers over Arthurs Pass Village and boasts sweeping views across the valley to Mt Rolleston, Avalanche Peak and Mt Philistine.
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MAUKURATAWHAI - MODERATEMaukuratawhai (try saying that 10 times fast), is a prominent mountain sitting across the Clarence River just on the other side of Jack's Pass from Hanmer Springs. We had the four legged terror in tow as we drove up over the pass between Mt Isobel and Dumblane before parking at the turn off to Tophouse Road.
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