Tongue Spur Summit, 30 - 31 August 2014
On Friday night I walked from The Divide to Lake Howden Hut, then on Saturday I continued over McKellar Saddle into the head of the Caples River, and to a high camp to the saddle at 1623m at the head of the West Branch of Steele Creek (West Steele Saddle).
On Sunday I climbed to the top of Pt 2024m then found a more direct descent line to McKellar Saddle before returning the way I had come.
The best route to the saddle at the head of Steele Creek West Branch leaves the Caples Track where this re-enters the bush 1km east of McKellar Saddle. Above bushline, an easy gully on the true right of a creek leads through a band of bluffs at CB09 185 222 / D41 285 840. After crossing over a broad spur, a ramp through bluffs at CB09 193 222 / D41 293 840 gives access to the valley north of the saddle.
View into the head of Fraser Creek from the summit of Pt 2024m. Somnus stands out in the background
TongueSpurSummit0959Ailsa MountainsFraser CreekMountaineeringNew ZealandSomnusTramping
The south-west face of Mount Bonpland (Humboldt Mountains) from Pt 2024m
TongueSpurSummit0960Ailsa MountainsHumboldt MountainsMount BonplandMountaineeringNew ZealandTramping
View from Pt 2024m. Unnamed Peak Pt 2096m, highest point in the Ailsa Mountains, is the prominent peak right of centre image. The Livingstone Mountains are in the background.
TongueSpurSummit0963Ailsa MountainsLivingstone MountainsLivingstone RangeMountaineeringNew ZealandTramping
View from Pt 2024m: Ailsa Mountains and Thomson Mountains. Lake Wakatipu back left; Tooth Peak centre right.
TongueSpurSummit0964Ailsa MountainsLake WakatipuMountaineeringNew ZealandThomson MountainsTooth PeakTramping
Panorama from Pt 2024m, looking south-east. Lake Wakatipu is on the left; Tooth Peak at centre image. Eyre Peak is on the skyline on the far right.
TongueSpurSummit0968aAilsa MountainsEyre PeakLake WakatipuMountaineeringNew ZealandTooth PeakTramping
View into the head of Kay Creek from Pt 2024m. Upper Peak is on the far left. Sir William Peak and Mount Earnslaw are the prominent peaks just right of centre image.
TongueSpurSummit1008Ailsa MountainsForbes MountainsKay CreekMount EarnslawMountaineeringNew ZealandTrampingUpper Peak
View into the head of Fraser Creek and Kay Creek from Pt 2024m. The prominent peaks on the skyline are, from left to right, Somnus, Unnamed Peak Pt 2117m (Humboldt Mountains), Upper Peak, Mount Earnslaw. Climax Peak and Destiny Peak (Olivines) are on the skyline at centre image.
TongueSpurSummit1012aAilsa MountainsMountaineeringNew ZealandTramping
Looking down onto Upper Caples Hut from Pt 2024m.
TongueSpurSummit1018Ailsa MountainsCaplesCaples RiverCaples TrackMountaineeringNew ZealandTrampingUpper Caples Huthut
View from Pt 2024m: Jean Batten Peak in the foreground. The Earl Mountains in the back, with Flat Top Peak, Ngatimamoe Peak and Pyramid Peak just right of centre image.
TongueSpurSummit1019Ailsa MountainsEarl MountainsFlat Top PeakJean Batten PeakMountaineeringNew ZealandNgatimamoe PeakPyramid PeakTramping
View down the north ridge of Pt 2024m (my ascent route) and into Fraser Creek. The prominent peaks on the horizon are Mount Tutoko, Mount Madeline (left) and Somnus (centre - right)
TongueSpurSummit1021aAilsa MountainsFraser CreekHumboldt MountainsMountaineeringNew ZealandTramping
View down the north ridge of Pt 2024m. Spot the rock wren (Xenicus gilviventris) at 2000m in the middle of winter.
TongueSpurSummit1031Ailsa MountainsMountaineeringNew ZealandTrampingXenicus gilviventrisrock wren
The summit pyramid of Pt 2024m
TongueSpurSummit1040Ailsa MountainsMountaineeringNew ZealandTramping
The Caples River from the north ridge of Pt 2024m
TongueSpurSummit1042Ailsa MountainsCaplesCaples RiverMountaineeringNew ZealandTramping
The Caples River from the north ridge of Pt 2024m
TongueSpurSummit1044Ailsa MountainsCaplesCaples RiverMountaineeringNew ZealandTramping
The east face of Jean Batten Peak - unclimbed
TongueSpurSummit1047Ailsa MountainsJean Batten PeakMountaineeringNew ZealandTramping
The east face of Jean Batten Peak - unclimbed
TongueSpurSummit1048Ailsa MountainsJean Batten PeakMountaineeringNew ZealandTramping
Campsite above West Steele Saddle (Pt 1623m). The Darran Mountains in the background
TongueSpurSummit1053Ailsa MountainsDarran MountainsMount ChristinaMountaineeringNew ZealandTrampingWest Steele Saddlecampcampsitetent
Campsite above West Steele Saddle (Pt 1623m). Jean Batten Peak in the background
TongueSpurSummit1058Ailsa MountainsJean Batten PeakMountaineeringNew ZealandTrampingWest Steele Saddlecampcampsitetent
Pt 2024m from the west
TongueSpurSummit1059Ailsa MountainsMountaineeringNew ZealandTramping
View into Steele Creek West Branch from the saddle at the head of the valley, Pt 1623m. The highest point of the Ailsa Mountains (Pt 2096m) is just right of centre image
TongueSpurSummit1060Ailsa MountainsMountaineeringNew ZealandSteele CreekSteele Creek West BranchTrampingWest Steele Saddle
Jean Batten Peak from the north. Pt 1970m is at centre image, Pt 1943m is the most prominent rock outcrop, while the high peak (1971m) is on the right.
TongueSpurSummit1075aAilsa MountainsJean Batten PeakMountaineeringNew ZealandTramping
Gallery comments