Free Pies and Vehicle Gymnastics

Looking East from the Rome Ridge

Exiting the bushline on the Rome Ridge, from Coral Track

Cornices looking towards Low Peak

Low Peak

Climbing up the last buttress before the Gap, below Low Peak

Jane climbing up before the Gap

Visit to the Otira Viaduct on Sunday

Protective measures over the Otira Road

Bouldering at Castle Hill - note Mark at bottom right of photo

October 2003

Story by Sean Kelly
Photos by Kevin Patterson

In early October Kevin Patterson, Jane Furkert, Mark Vickers, Paul Clarke, and Sean Kelly travelled to Arthurs Pass for an attempt on Mt. Rolleston (2275m). Accompanied by Jenny Henshaw (now living in CHCH) and Sam, the group travelled from CHCH in Jenny and Sam’s cars late on Friday night. Once Castle Hill had been gained we were treated to a glorious moonlight sky. There was much drooling over acres of tasty boulderable rock.

5am on Saturday morning saw Kevin reporting an encouraging clear-ish sky so we quickly (relatively) ate breakfast and packed our gear. By 6:15am we were on our way up through the trees on the Rome Ridge track. Very high clouds were observed with a ominous looking front to the north. Despite a five hour sleep and one upset belly (Mark’s baked beans) we were making excellent progress.

Six hours, two buttresses, one exposed ridge, one pitch and one dropped brand new piece of equipment later we found ourselves at the top of a very steep notch in the ridge. Together with weather front and time issues, it was decided that we would retreat the way we came.

So, nine hours of backwards down-climbing, two buttresses, piles of soft snow, one ‘GPS Assisted’ two hundred meter course correction and a beautiful blue sky later we found ourselves back at the car (fetched by Kevin). After much driving around and depositing cars (Sam and Jenny had piked out and did a 32km run instead) it was 9pm and a search for food was on. Arthurs Pass closes quite early it seems. A quick drive to Bealey Pub and we returned with six free pies (thanks!).

Sunday morning found us in a conference discussing what the day would entail. Due to sore legs, weather and flagging enthusiasm we decided on a trip to the Otira viaduct (exciting I know) and a boulder at Castle Hill on the way to Pizza Hut in CHCH. Time marched on and despite a very bad knee and rain it was very difficult to drag Mark away from the boulders so we could go home. Pizza and more vehicle gymnastics saw us on the plane and home on time.

Thanks to Kevin for organising the trip, and special thanks to Jenny and Sam for the use of their cars.