“On a Mish” #7 Borland’s Skyscaper (Part One) – Mt Burns(1645m). Fiordland National Park. 20.3.2017. Mt Burns(1645m) towers over the Borland Road like a huge skyscraper on a busy street in a big city. Jagged rocks reach for the sky on the mountain ridges, with steep cliffs lining the northern faces of the great Fiordland Peak. When driving along the gravel road after turning off the Blackmont Highway I am always blown away by the mountains which rise out of the earth near the Borland Lodge. The area has fascinated me for years and one mountain in particular was put on the must do list after my first visit…
The twists and turns of the Borland Road take you right amongst the big peaks on the eastside of Borland Saddle(990m). As the mountains close in around you, you begin to feel very small in a land of tussock and rock-covered giants. To be able to drive into Fiordland’s alpine area is rare as there are only three roads in the entire park, so I often use this as a starting point for climbing. After success on a few other peaks in the area (Eldrig Peak, Peak 1476m and travels along the Borland Saddle Ridge), I decided it was time to have a crack at the mountain which looms over the crushed granite of the Borland Road.
The plan was to head up to Borland Saddle in the afternoon, then early-ish the next day climb up the west ridge from the road. I wasn’t going to tackle this particular peak alone, so I invited my girlfriend at the time (another Fiordland fanatic) on the mish.
Together we made our way to the top of the road, and enjoyed the spoils of a quiet night van-camping above the treeline on the elevated saddle. Watching the sun setting behind the blur of hundreds of wild Fiordland mountains from Borland Saddle(990m) is a treat I have enjoyed many times, and will continue to enjoy for many years to come.
I woke up in the middle of the night to my van shaking in strong winds, and I began to get nervous about our mission. Early-ish the next day I peered out the van’s foggy windows to see an excellent sunrise, and more importantly a still morning in the mountains. Low cloud lingered below us in the Borland Valley, trapped waiting for a breeze to lift it into the sunny skies above.
The scene was set for a Fiordland epic, and with bubbling excitement we smashed down breakfast and a coffee, then prepared ourselves for an uphill battle. The only downside (literally) about climbing the full length of the west ridge (a west to east traverse) is going down the road to its base, adding more climbing to the mish. We had a real adventure in front of us and we were very excited…
