The Minarets, December 2024
A view of Lendenfeld Peak (left), Mt Tasman (centre) and Torres Peak (right) on the flight in to Centennial Hut
On the approach to Centennial Hut - a nice view of our objective, the Minarets
Heading down to the hut from the drop-off point. Crampons required from the get go in very firm frozen snow conditions
Inside 2,400m Centennial Hut - a superb location, with a view past the Tusk down Franz Joseph Glacier
A view from the end of the rock buttress, back to Centennial Hut
Looking north from the hut's small deck. Jim is perched on the end of the buttress
On our first day we did a recce east, skirting Chamberlin Snowfield, to the base (2,500m) of the buttress extending north from Mt Rudolf, so we could eye-ball the snow face giving access to the Minarets. Our route of the following morning is marked
The view south, from above the hut, to Mt Jervois (2,630m). The Minarets are mid left
Sunset view north and west from above the hut
Sunset view northwest from the hut, past Tusk to the Franz Joseph nevé
Jim on the initial less steep section of the snow face extending south and up from Chamberlin Snowfield, at about 2,550m at dawn
The view north, from about 2,550m on the snow face extending south and up from Chamberlin Snowfield
Jim leading the first of three pitches from 2,700m to 2,900m. The snow was frozen so that just front points penetrated. Whacking a snow stake in required concentrated effort, but resulted in bullet-proof anchors
Jim leading off on the final and steepest pitch - perhaps 50 degrees and frozen solid - not a place to slip
At 2,900m at the top of the frozen snow face, with the West Coast in the distance
Beyond the snow face is a wide flat expanse giving access to De La Beche to the west (left) and the Minarets to the east (out of picture). I was glad to be on safe ground again for a bit, before we resumed front pointing on frozen snow to reach the two Minaret summits
Here is the route east we took, first climbing the higher east Minaret (3,040m - right), then dropping back into the saddle between them to climb the 3,031m west Minaret
In the saddle between the Minarets, looking south down Tasman Glacier. Malte-Brun is left and Aoraki Mt Cook and Mt Tasman right of centre. De La Beche is directly in front of and below Mt Tasman
On top of East Minaret (3,040m). My third 3000er. Second time up for Jim, who has climbed all of Aotearoa's 3000ers, many of them more than once
Summit view south to Aoraki Mt Cook
Summit view south to Aoraki Mt Cook, showing the route up and down West Minaret we would shortly take. East Minaret's summit offered no place to relax - frozen hard and dropping off steeply on both sides
Summit view east to the head of Tasman Glacier. Elie De Beaumont is far left, with Mt Walter and Mt Green in front. Hochstetter Dome is left of centre
Jim heading up the flanks of West Minaret
West Minaret (3,031m) summit view east to Elie De Beaumont (left), East Minaret and Malte-Brun (centre) and south to Aoraki Mt Cook and Mt Tasman - quite a view!
West Minaret summit view south to Malte-Brun and Aiguilles Rouges
Jim commencing the descent of West Minaret down easier terrain. De La Beche to his right
Nearing the flat expanse at 2,900m again, looking south
A view at the base of the snow face above Chamberlin Snowfield, showing our route of ascent/descent. In those frozen hard conditions Type II fun for me, and only doable with the help of Jim's impressive mountaineering skills and strength
A view at the base of the snow face above Chamberlin Snowfield, showing our route across it to the buttress extending north from Mt Rudolf
Centennial Hut at dawn on Day 3
Dawn view to Tusk from Centennial Hut
We got away at day-break to take advantage of the frozen conditions. While challenging on steep terrain, on flatter surfaces it permitted quick progress. This is a view of Centennial Hut from Davis Snowfield
On the gradual ascent from Davis Snowfield to Newton Pass
Jim knocks off another high point, this one an un-named 2,470m prominence east of Newton Pass
A view east from the prominence to the Minarets and De La Beche (far right), Mts Green and Walter (left of centre) and Elie De Beaumont (left). Centennial Hut is directly below the sharp fang of Mt Green
At about 2,460m, approaching 2,492m Newton Pass. West Hoe (2,574m) at left and Mt Christie (2,636m) and Mt Halcombe (2,659m) at right
The view east from Newton Pass. The Minarets and De La Beche (far right), then Mts Green, Walter and Elie De Beaumont
The view west and south from Newton Pass. Mt Tasman and Torres Peak top left and Fox Glacier nevé below
From Left, Mt Haast (3,114m), Lendenfeld Peak (3,194m), Mt Tasman (3,497m) and Torres Peak (3,160m). Pioneer Hut (2,480m) sits beneath Lendenfeld
Crossing Explorer Glacier at about 2,400m, towards Pioneer Hut
Our descent route from Newton Pass, across Explorer Glacier. West Hoe Pass is at right
On the final climb to Pioneer Hut
The rather exposed Pioneer Hut throne - best not to leave your journey to this loo to the last minute, otherwise you maybe in the shit in more ways than one
Inside Pioneer Hut (2,480m)
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