GUNUNG · Selandia Baru

Avalanche Peak

Information

Elevation: 1.833 m
Country: Selandia Baru (NZ)
Location / Range: Southern Alps, Arthur's Pass National Park, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand
Mountain type: Alpine peak in the Southern Alps — orogenic rock (greywacke), not a volcano
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: -42.9430, 171.5360
Difficulty: Strenuous (alpine day hike): about 1,100 m of continuous ascent over a short distance, narrow exposed ridges, loose rock and scree; mountain tramping experience required
Best Season: Summer and autumn (December–April) for the safest conditions; winter–spring (roughly May–November) is avalanche-prone and requires an ice axe and crampons
Permits & Rules: No permit or booking needed — it's a hut-free day hike; start and finish in Arthur's Pass village
Hazards: A steep ~80 m cliff near the summit, exposed ridge, strong wind, fast weather changes, loose rock; avalanche-prone in winter and spring. Several fatalities recorded since 1933

Description

Avalanche Peak is an 1,833-metre summit in Arthur's Pass National Park, in the heart of the Southern Alps on New Zealand's South Island. Although it is a day hike, the climb is demanding: roughly 1,100 metres of ascent over a short horizontal distance from Arthur's Pass village. The Department of Conservation (DOC) maintains two routes to the top — the Avalanche Peak Track and Scotts Track — usually combined into a loop, and it is the only peak in the area marked by a poled route all the way to the summit. The lower sections climb through mountain beech forest before the trail becomes a narrow, exposed ridge above the bushline, with rock steps, bluffs and steep scree. On a clear day the summit offers views of several of the park's mountain ranges and is a favourite haunt of the kea. Its name refers to the avalanches that sweep these slopes in winter, and DOC advises against attempting it in windy or snowy conditions. Because of the sheer drops and exposed ridge, the route is not recommended in ice, high winds or poor visibility.

Gallery

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Routes

Avalanche Peak Track + Route

Berat (alpine): menanjak terus ±1.100 m; di atas garis pohon menjadi rute bertiang yang terbuka

2.50 km ±3–4 jam naik; satu hari penuh untuk loop

Starting from SH73 near the Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre, the Avalanche Peak Track climbs steeply through mountain beech forest to the bushline, then becomes the Avalanche Peak Route marked with cairns and yellow snow poles, following a narrow, exposed ridge with large rock steps, bluffs and steep scree to the 1,833 m summit. It is the only peak in Arthur's Pass marked by a poled route to the top.

Source

Scotts Track + Route

Berat (alpine): sedikit kurang curam dari Avalanche Peak Track

±3–4 jam naik; ±1,5 jam turun

Scotts Track zigzags through forest from SH73 to the bushline and is generally a little less steep than the Avalanche Peak Track. Above the bushline it becomes Scotts Route, marked with cairns and orange snow poles, to the summit. Most people combine the two tracks into a loop, ascending one and descending the other.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Accounts of climbing Avalanche Peak consistently rate it among the best and steepest day hikes in Arthur's Pass. Almost all creators stress the relentless steep ascent, the exposed ridge above the bushline, and the sweeping Southern Alps views from the summit. Other recurring themes are the importance of weather — many warn to pick a clear, calm day — and the option of combining the Avalanche Peak Track and Scotts Track into a single loop.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.