Curtis Creek, Arthurs Pass NP

Grant, Toine, David and I joined up for a day's canyoning in Arthurs Pass. The weather looked stable enough, but it wasn't all that warm (even though it was still March). We chose to do one of the smaller projects in the area; Curtis Creek.

Toine, Dave and Grant at Otira Valley Carpark

The trip began with a stroll up the Otira valley, then climbing a scree up towards Warnocks Knob. From there we crossed tussock and scrub covered hillsides to enter the canyon.

At first the stream was bouldery with steep tussock walls, but before long we got our first short secctions of true gorge.

Chucky on the first drop


Nice gorge sections

The stream continued with alternating open and gorgy sections, before a long middle section of open boulder hopping. Beneath that, the lower section of the canyon began with quick fire rappels as the stream descended more steeply and the sides became true canyon walls.

Nice and narrow now

We spotted several old anchor slings throughout the canyon, which meant it wasn't a first descent unfortunately. However it had all the challenge of a first descent, not knowning what was next and having to (re)make all your own anchors anyway

Classic bedrock drops and deep clean pools in the lower canyon

Finally we arrived at the top of the big final drop that can be seen from the Otira Viaduct. We'd only two 60m ropes, so were a little concerned that they weren't going to reach. However they were about 50cm too long for the drop... Efficient use of cordage eh?

The final big drop, 59m

As we pulled the rope from the final drop, it hung up briefly somewhere after it had pulled from the anchor. (on a flake 2/3 the way up the fall). Without hesitation, we pulled harder, trying to make sure it didn't stick totally. Unfortunately this pulled the loose flake off the wall, sending soccer ball sized boulders our way. Grant spotted the rock, and yelled a warning. The pitch and volume of his voice sent us all leaping for cover; Toine got a glancing blow on the knee, whilst Grant was smacked in the wrist with a much smaller rock.. Toines rope was the worst casualty, being sliced cleanly in two places, reducing his 60m rope into a 4om, 14m and 6m set...

After this excitement, it was an easy stroll down to the Otira river, and up to the base of the viaduct and back to the car..

Finders Keepers...

An ice axe found in the stream, perhaps from a mishap on Mt Philistine.