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South Island 10 Christina

South Island 10 Christina


Postby past my sell by date » Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:34 am

Date walked: 29/01/2006

Time taken: 15

Ascent: 1550m

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For nearly three days in 2003 I had gazed longingly across the Hollyford valley from the Routeburn track to the Darrans, withe 2478m Christina dominating the scene

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Christina and the Darrans across the Hollyford valleyfrom point 1543
The weather remained perfect, and after my rest day at Milford I was keen to climb it. :)
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As you drive down the Hollyford valley road from the Homer Tunnel , the massive bulk of Christina dominates the view on the Left, much as does Liatach as you drive from Torridon towards Kinlochewe
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Another view - part of Crosscut on the L
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Map of the ascent
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Approximate line of same
We started in the dark, and I have inverted the the following photos all taken on the descent to create a logical sequence
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Looking up Cirque Creek - between Crosscut and Christina. An alternative route to the summit starts up this valley.
Getting out of the car we used loose sandals to wade the river, hid them in the vegetation and only then put on socks and boots to walk up the riverbed to the foot of the route as shown in the previous picture

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We headed diagonally R through thick shrubby vegetation to cross the prominent gully
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The climbing was like nothing I have experienced before or since: mainly on vegetation, but sufficiently steep - 45, 50 maybe 55 degrees that you needed to use your hands the whole time. I found that New Zealand shrubs make completely reliable handholds - and as there are no native grazing animals in the country, they are devoid of thorns or spines: I just reached up and pulled :D :D :lol: :lol: .
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We pitched just one section at the top of the slope, above which the angle eased and the terrain gave way to scree and snow sl'opes
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Sam looking down from the top of this pitch
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and abseling down it on the descent
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Above the pitch the angle eased a bit: looking up the valley past Crosscut towards Talbot
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Early morning (ascent) photograph: Homer Saddle R of centre and McPherson
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We headed diagonally R up scree slopes then put on crampons and went diagonally L up this snow slope: there was actually a lot more snow climbing than the pictures suggest and it was soft and slippery in places
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As we climbed higher the view towards Talbot and McPherson improved: the road leading up to the tunnel looks a long way below :shock:
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A zoomed view - the Llawreny peaks behind
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Looking back down the slope: pyramid Peak 2295m behind
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A wider view: the road heading down the valley can be seen on the R

Photos from our high point - about 2250m
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We reached the North ridge, and looked down on Lake Marian over 5000 ft below :shock: . This was as far as we could manage in a single (15 hour) day. A group came past - headed for the summit, but they were carrying camping equipment
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Views of Sam and myself with Lake Marian
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ditto with Tutoko and Madeleine
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Looking just West of North to Tutoko and Madeleine: the four peaks of Crosscut in the foreground
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Looking roughly South West: Pyramid peak has several routes on it
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Looking North East: on the near ridge, the Peak on the R is Mt. Lyttle 1899m: the 2060m peak on the L is un-named - as are many in the area: at the back is 2830m Pikirakatahi (Mt. Earnslaw) - the second highest peak (after Aspiring) in Otago
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Further R - forests in the Hollyford valley
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A picture from the Web shows (far L) Conical hill and Mt Xenicus - close to Harris Saddle on The Routeburn, from where I had last seen the Darrans three years earlier:
We descended by exactly the same route. Below the short abseil Sam had built tiny cairns on ledges to guide us as the gully can only be crossed at one point. It was very hot in the afternoon sun and near the bottom we had a lighthearted discussion as to whether i needed to continue wearing my helmet :lol: :lol:
However when we reached the riverbed, I found that my ankle muscles were so totally knackered that I could not walk on the rounded cobbles :shock: - my boots just slid off :lol: :lol: :lol: l eventually managed the km or so to the road by chosing flat areas to step - but it took an age. I think Sam just thought I was tired :lol:
So ended my brilliant four-day stay in the Darrans: certainly the steepest and probably the most exciting mountains I have ever visited :D :D :D
past my sell by date
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