“A Mish a Day” #31 Erewhon Peak(2068m) Hakatere Conservation Area. 5.5.2014. The Erewhon Park/Mt Potts Area is located near the famous ‘Lord of the Rings’ location of Mt Sunday and was once a small ski-field. Now occasionally Mt Potts High Country Station fly people into the area for Heli-skiing during the winter, and as far as views go the area is hard to beat. For the people who can’t afford to chopper into the area (me), a walk up the bulldozed track is required.
After a night’s stay at the crib in Lake Clearwater I was up early-ish to see a grim grey sky, and I knew rain was going to pay the area a visit later on in the day. It is only a 15 minute drive from Lake Clearwater to the start of the track up to Erewhon Park. It was eerily calm, with big black storm clouds looming on the horizon as I got my gear out of the car and began to hike. The easy gradient of the road makes for an easy walk in, and at times the gradual climb on a zigzagging track is barely noticed. The ski area resides in a large hanging valley with several large basins perfect for holding snow during the winter months. Once in the hanging valley the road is straight forward, and about halfway between the valley’s entrance and the upper basins is a large washout. The slip is a result of continuous avalanches, and has completely destroyed the road. Every time I visit the area the slip has changed, and sometimes crossing over is a risky affair. On this mission it wasn’t too bad, and after carefully negotiating the big slip on the road I continued on to the ski area. The goal for this visit to the area was one of the big peaks at the head of the valley, Erewhon Peak(2068m). To get to the base of the south ridge I followed the bulldozed track into the snow of the upper basin, which was starting to get whipped up by the building Nor’West wind. A short, steep, and sometimes exposed scramble on the loose red rock of the south ridge led me to the summit, and now in the full force of the wind. The powerful wind took my breath away, and cut through the many layers of clothing I was wearing. With the wind burning the tiny amount of skin I had exposed I knew this wasn’t a place to linger.
The descent was via the west ridge to a saddle between Erewhon Peak(2068m) and the larger Peak 2140m. So to get to the saddle I had to crawl in places against the very strong wind, and I knew that the storm was about to unleash it’s fury. Once down off the saddle I followed the bulldozed track again, and not long after leaving the summit the heavens opened up with at first heavy rain, then it quickly changed to snow. A quick glance behind me reinforced my need to get out of the area, as all the big peaks were now in the clouds of the storm.. So happy to do this trip in gortex and merino etc as the wind-chill was extreme but the mission still very enjoyable. Another incredible adventure in Hakatere Conservation Area done and dusted, and another awesome summit to add to the ever growing list. There is nothing like putting yourself against the fury of mother nature, and feeling the power of a storm in the mountains. But it is extremely important that you have an escape route, and a warm crib only 15 minutes drive away!
