Mt Aicken, Arthurs Pass NP

Had a great day climb of Mt Aicken with my friend Julie from Australia. She came over for a short visit and the south Island put on 2 fantastic weather days from 3 for us to get out and get up some great peaks.

Julie overlooking the head of the Devlis Punchbowl Stream

Mt Aicken has a reasonably steep but well formed track through to the bushline. On a nearly cloudless day, we sweated uphill to ever more amazing views.

Reaching the bushline

Battling the scree's and tussock

Well above the bushline, the ridge steepend and became a lot more narrow. To my delight, there were plenty of narrow scrambly sections that could be climbed directly. Though most could be sidled around without too much difficulty, taking the direct route made for some very fun scrambling.

Scrambling past a narrow section of ridge

Looking along the the last section of ridge through to Mt Aicken

Chucky traverses the ridge

On the summit we enjoyed great views to

the Craigieburn Range, Mt Franklin and Mt Oates

Enjoying the shady Beech forest on descent


Taking time for a celebratory glass of chateau cardboard with dinner