Rome Ridge to Avalanche Peak, June 2022
Dawn view south down SH 73 from the Coral Track
At about 1,100m on the Coral Track, looking south to Avalanche Peak and part of the route we planned to travel to reach it
Above the Coral Track at 1,300m at the base of Rome Ridge, looking south
Above the Coral Track at 1,300m at the base of Rome Ridge, looking south
At 1,450m on Rome Ridge, looking south. Avalanche Peak is right and Phipps Peak far left
Near 1,500m on Rome Ridge, with our entire route before us - Rolleston low peak (2,212m) right, Avalanche Peak (1,833m) left
Near 1,500m on Rome Ridge, looking south
At about 1,600m on Rome Ridge. This is where the biggest challenge came due to steep terrain and thin snow and ice for about 120 vertical metres
Climbing steep frozen snow and ice at about 1,650m, looking south back down Rome Ridge
Climbing steep frozen snow and ice at about 1,650m
Our route dropped off Rome Ridge to the south at 1,700m, just before the next steep section. Rolleston low peak is now in cloud as the weather starts to close in on us
Dropping off Rome Ridge into the basin above McGrath Creek. Avalanche Peak is in the centre, with our ridge route stretching back to us
At about 1,600m, in the basin above McGrath Creek. Avalanche Peak is right
At about 1,600m, in the basin above McGrath Creek. Avalanche Peak is right or centre
Heading out of the basin, back up to join the ridge at about 1,750m
A view north, back to Rome Ridge
Ridge view south to Avalanche Peak, with Crow Valley to the right
Looking north to the Crow Glacier, top left, soon to engulfed in cloud
Ridge view south on the climb of Point 1658, before Avalanche Peak
Looking south, with one more high point to pass before the climb to Avalanche Peak
Looking south, with one more high point to pass before the climb to Avalanche Peak
Another short spell of front pointing to get down frozen snow-covered rocks
Heading to the last high point before Avalanche Peak, hoping for the clouds and sleet to hold off a bit longer
Approaching 1,720m
A glance back to Mt Rolleston confirmed that we didn't have much time before the sleet hit us
Here comes the rain, 12.15pm right on queue - credit to MetService!
Read about it An alpine adventure at Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Magazine June 2024
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