Matukituki - Arawhata, 11 - 15 November 2001

A classic loop around Mt Barff. An attempt at climbing the mountain was aborted when we came across a massive slab avalanche that had recently released. We crossed the Arawhata Saddle from the West Matukituki Valley into the Arawhata, then returned to the Matukituki via Waipara Saddle and Matukituki Saddle. The Arawhata Rock Biv was a great place to spend a pit day, while Matukituki Saddle was a less pleasant location to endure a stormy night - without tents! Party: James Scott, Non Petpaisit, Danilo Hegg

Trip map. 1 grid square = 1km. Left click on map then select "Sizes -> Original" in bottom right corner of screen to view full size
Getting ready at Cameron Flat
Cameron Flat Matukituki Valley Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping
Looking into the West Matukituki from Liverpool Hut
Liverpool Hut Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping West Matukituki Valley
At Liverpool Hut
Liverpool Hut Mt Aspiring Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping West Matukituki Valley
Reflection in the window of Liverpool Hut
Liverpool Hut Mt Aspiring Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Reflection Tramping West Matukituki Valley
French Ridge and Mt Avalanche
French Ridge Liverpool Hut Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Avalanche New Zealand Tramping French Ridge Avalanche
Liverpool Hut, Mt Avalanche in the background
French Ridge Liverpool Hut Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Avalanche New Zealand Tramping West Matukituki Valley
Liverpool Hut in front of Mt Aspiring, Mt French and the Quarterdeck
Liverpool Hut Mount French Mt Aspiring Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand The Quarterdeck Tramping
Liverpool Hut. Rob Roy Peak in cloud in the background
Liverpool Hut Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Rob Roy Peak Tramping West Matukituki Valley
Arawhata Saddle from the east
Arawhata Saddle Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping West Matukituki Valley
Mount Barff south face
Mount Barff Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping
View from Arawhata Saddle: Mt Athene; Ionia and Eros behind
Arawhata Saddle Eros Mercer Glacier Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Athene Mt Ionia New Zealand Tramping
View from Arawhata Saddle: Arawhata River and Olivine Range
Arawhata River Arawhata Saddle Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Olivine Range Tramping
Mt Liverpool, Mt Wahine and Mt Maori from Arawhata Saddle
Arawhata Saddle Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Liverpool Mt Maori Mt Wahine New Zealand Tramping
Mount Barff from the south west
Arawhata Saddle Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Barff New Zealand Tramping
Slab avalanche on the south west ridge of Mt Barff
Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Barff New Zealand Tramping avalanche climax avalanche crown wall slab avalanche
Slab avalanche on the south west ridge of Mt Barff
Arawhata Saddle Matukituki Arawhata trip map Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Barff New Zealand Tramping avalanche climax avalanche crown wall slab avalanche
Arawhata rock biv
Arawhata River Arawhata Rock Biv Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Rock bivvy Tramping
Arawhata rain
Arawhata River Arawhata Rock Biv Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping rain
Pit day in the Arawhata rock biv
Arawhata River Arawhata Rock Biv Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Rock bivvy Tramping pit day rain
Arawhata rock biv and Twin Falls
Arawhata River Arawhata Rock Biv Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Rock bivvy Tramping
Arawhata rock biv and Twin Falls
Arawhata River Arawhata Rock Biv Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Rock bivvy Tramping
In the Arawhata River
Arawhata River Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping
View from Waipara Saddle: Bonar Lake and Mt Buncombe
Arawhata River Bonar Lake Buncombe Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping Waipara River Waipara Saddle glacier lake
On Waipara Saddle. Bow Peak at centre image
Bow Peak Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping Waipara Saddle
The upper Arawhata and Bow Peak from Waipara Saddle
Arawhata River Bow Peak Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping Waipara Saddle
A clear day after the storm on Matukituki Saddle. Mt Ionia and Eros behind
Eros Matukituki Saddle Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Ionia New Zealand Tramping
A clear day after the storm on Matukituki Saddle. Tyler and Buncombe behind.
Buncombe Matukituki Saddle Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping Tyler
Celmisia verbascifolia (?) Matukituki Saddle, Mount Aspiring NP
Alpine plant Flora Matukituki Saddle Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping
Frost on Matukituki Saddle
Matukituki Saddle Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Tramping frost
Mt Bevan and Mt Aspiring from Matukituki Saddle
Matukituki Saddle Mt Aspiring Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Bevan New Zealand Tramping Aspiring
In the Matukituki Valley. Rob Roy Peak behind
Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Rob Roy Peak Tramping West Matukituki Valley
Giant buttercup (Ranunculus lyallii). West Matukituki Valley
Giant buttercup Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Cook lily New Zealand Ranunculus Lyallii Rob Roy Peak Tramping West Matukituki Valley Ranunculus lyallii
Giant buttercup (Ranunculus lyallii). West Matukituki Valley
Giant buttercup Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Cook lily New Zealand Ranunculus Lyallii Tramping West Matukituki Valley Ranunculus lyallii
Giant buttercup (Ranunculus lyallii). West Matukituki Valley
Giant buttercup Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Cook lily New Zealand Ranunculus Lyallii Tramping West Matukituki Valley
Giant buttercup (Ranunculus lyallii). West Matukituki Valley
Giant buttercup Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Cook lily New Zealand Ranunculus Lyallii Tramping West Matukituki Valley Ranunculus Lyallii
Walking down the West Matukituki
Mt Aspiring National Park Mt Tyndall New Zealand Tramping West Matukituki Valley
Sharks Tooth Peak, West Matukituki Valley
Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Sharks Tooth Peak Tramping West Matukituki Valley
The mountain radio comes handy in the end... to call the AA!
Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand Raspberry Creek car park Tramping West Matukituki Valley mountain radio