There was the tiniest of weather windows passing by the Canterbury region on saturday, so weren't super confident that we'd be able to get all the way to Castle hill Peak before getting snowed and blown off the mountain.
Leaving Chch in steady rain at 5am did nothing to bolster our confidence, but somewhere near West Melton, the moon, then some stars began to appear. By the time we'd passed Sheffeild, we could see the snowy peaks of the Torlesse Range clearly in the bright moonlight.
Leaving Chch in steady rain at 5am did nothing to bolster our confidence, but somewhere near West Melton, the moon, then some stars began to appear. By the time we'd passed Sheffeild, we could see the snowy peaks of the Torlesse Range clearly in the bright moonlight.
Wonderfully clear and calm at dawn
The Ben More topsClimbing from porters pass as quickly as we could, we were treated to a wonderful morning light show, which we were able to enjoy in the crisp, calm air.
Higher up we encountered some reasonably deep drifts of snow, which made for slow progress at times. We were up on Foggy Peak quite quickly, but Castle Hill was quite some way futher along the gentle ridge.
Higher up we encountered some reasonably deep drifts of snow, which made for slow progress at times. We were up on Foggy Peak quite quickly, but Castle Hill was quite some way futher along the gentle ridge.
Just about to arrive at Foggy Peak
Mt Enys dominates the Craigieburn Range skylineThe views were rather spectacular; the Craigieburns to the west, Mt Rolleston dominating the Northerly views and Banks peninsula to the south.
The further we got along the ridge, the more the wind grew and the high cloud coalesced into a thick grey murk. Climbing the last little steeper section to the top, we were glad to have made it before the weather really opened up on us.
There was just enough time for a quick bit of Geocaching to find 'King of the Castle' not far from the summit.
Looking at the last little steeper bit to the summit
Murray ascends the final bit of ridge
Summit Shot, Castle Hill Peak 1998m
Looking North East to the Waimakarirri ValleyIt was clearly time to get off the hill as the weather bore down on us. The wind steadily increased and began blowing snow off the ridge into our faces. by the time we were decending Foggy Peak, the gusts were reaching well over 100kmh ! It was a bit of a struggle to remain vertical, but in our storm gear with not far to the car, it was actually rather fun to be out in such conditions.
In the end we timed it just right, as the snow began to fall up the valley, we were driving back down to the Sheffield Pie shop for a well deserved big meaty fat pill.
Murray attempts the 'La Bouche Glissade' (mouth slide)
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