Trip Date: December 27-28, 2015
2015 NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE VACATION
Avalanche–Crow Traverse: Avalanche Peak to Crow River
Avalanche Peak (6014 ft / 1833 m)
Rolleston–Avalanche Saddle
Crow Hut
Crow River
Waimakariri Flats
Waimakariri River
Trip Report Summary
Region: New Zealand
Sub-Region: South Island
Sub-Sub-Region: Canterbury / Waitaha
Area: Arthur’s Pass National Park
Starting Point: Arthur’s Walk / Scott’s Track / Devil’s Punchbowl Trailhead on West Coast Road (Elev. 2400 feet / 730 meters)
Way Points: Scott’s Track junction & West Coast Road crossing & Avalanche Peak northeast shoulder & Avalanche Peak summit & West Avalanche Saddle & Rolleston–Avalanche Saddle & Crow Couloir & Upper Crow Cirque & Crow Hut & Crow River & Waimakariri Flats & Waimakariri River & Klondyke Road (trail hike & rock scramble & off-trail hike)
High Point: Avalanche Peak summit (Elev. 6014 feet / 1833 meters)
Ending Point: Klondyke Corner on West Coast Road (Elev. 2100 feet / 640 meters)
Accommodations: Crow Hut
Summit: Avalanche Peak (trail hike via Scott’s Track; descent via North Ridge)
Approximate Stats: 12.5 miles / 20.0 kilometers traveled; 4100 feet / 1250 meters gained; 4400 feet / 1340 meters lost.
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Full Trip Report
During the week between Christmas and New Years Day, Eileen, Brooke, Callum, and I drove up West Coast Road to Arthur’s Pass and completed a two-day backcountry traverse. Our route took us up and over the summit of Avalanche Peak, down to the Crow River, and out the Waimakariri River to West Coast Road. Although most of this traverse follows well-established trails, there are some steep and/or rough off-trail segments that will tax an inexperienced hiker.
Day 1: Arthur’s Pass to Avalanche Peak to Crow Hut
Before beginning our traverse, Brooke and Callum drove our car down to the finish point at Klondyke Corner and then hitch-hiked back up to Arthur’s Pass. Mid-morning temperatures were soaring by the time the four of us shouldered backpacks at the shared trailhead for Arthur’s Walk, Scott’s Track, and Devil’s Punchbowl. We headed up Scott’s Track, which ascends open grasslands on the northeastern flank of Avalanche Peak. It was uncomfortably hot in the bright sun.
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With increasing elevation, the broad, grassy slope transitions to a narrow ridge crest. Avalanche Peak’s rocky summit was clearly visible ahead, and we topped out in early afternoon (3.6 hours from TH). Mt. Rolleston and the Crow Glacier are particularly impressive from this summit.
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From the summit, we descended westerly a short distance to reach a small saddle and then began a long, undulating, northerly traverse to reach a larger, lower saddle. This latter saddle marks the low point between Avalanche Peak and Mt. Rolleston. Most of this segment follows a crude but well-defined trail.
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From the Rolleston–Avalanche Saddle, we turned westward and descended a long, wide scree and talus couloir for 1800 feet / 550 meters. The prevalence of loose rocks made our descent slow, painstaking, and even a bit treacherous. We unanimously disliked this segment and were very relieved to finally bottom out at the Crow River.
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We finished our day with an easy hike down the river, reaching Crow Hut in late afternoon (3.3 hours from summit). Crow Hut is small but clean and comfortable, equipped with gas stoves and some basic cooking supplies. One other party was there when we arrived.
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Day 2: Crow Hut to Klondyke Corner
Awaking to another sunny day, we continued hiking down the Crow River on a primitive trail, boulder-hopping across a small creek along the way. Farther down, we were forced to ford the river at a narrow, rocky point. The water was swift but only knee deep.
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Once across the Crow River, we hiked through beech forest and grassy meadows until reaching the enormously wide outwash plain of the Waimakariri River.
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Turning eastward, we followed the outwash plain down-valley. This initially involved an easy stroll across the flat gravel deposits, but we soon found it necessary to wade across numerous river braids. After doffing and re-donning our boots and socks at the first several braids, we realized that it was a lost cause; for all subsequent crossings, we simply charged in with our boots and socks on, saving considerable time and frustration.
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After traveling about 2 miles / 3 kilometers down-valley and making a dozen or more river-braid crossings, we came to a gravel road that led us over to Klondyke Corner and West Coast Road. We reached our waiting car in early afternoon (4.6 hours from hut) to end a challenging but very satisfying traverse.
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Route Map & Profile
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Photo Gallery
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