4.7 CARRINGTON PK (2010m) / ARMSTRONG (2110m) TRAVERSE - On a good day is well worth the effort. The skyline traverse is a relatively straightforward affair. Ascend (route 4.1), descending easy slopes off MT ARMSTRONG to the col west of the rock bluffs. (Grade. 1+)
4.8 ANDERSON PEAK (1840m) can also be reached from MT BARRON (1726m) via the Barron Range. This takes a good day along ridge back that is basically a minefield of loose rock. (Grade. 1+)
5. THE CROW VALLEY
CROW HUT AREA
The Crow Valley offers southern approaches to MT ROLLESTON, and several difficult routes onto peaks of the Jellicoe Ridge.
5.1 MT ROLLESTON (2275m) The usual route, after leaving the valley floor, is to climb towards the icefall and then travel beside it on the west until Crow névé is reached. The two obvious gullies to the true right of the icefall are the best options, but beware of avalanches after fresh snowfall. In summer large pinnacles of ice crash down the bluffs on the true left. The ridge may be cut off by deep crevasses late in the season. From there the three peaks of Mt Rolleston are accessible...
a) LOW PEAK (2212m) can be reached easily from the northeastern reaches of the Crow névé. The crux in this climb is the glacial ascent from the Crow Valley. Beware of hidden crevasses. (Grade. 2-)
b) MIDDLE PEAK (2200m) is also easily obtained from the northeastern reaches of the Crow névé. It may be ascended on either its East or West Ridges. The crux in this climb is the glacial ascent from the Crow Valley. Beware of hidden crevasses. (Grade. 2-)
c) HIGH PEAK (2275m) can be ascended easily using the Eastern Ridge from the col adjacent Middle Peak. Approach the col from directly below on the Crow névé to avoid atleast some major crevasse zones. The first buttress on this ridge is turned on it’s southern flank. (Grade. 2-)
d) MAIN PEAK DIRECT (120m) A rock (summer) or ice (winter) route exists on the Southern Face directly below the summit of High Peak (2275m). Access is difficult due to the very large bergschrund at the base of the face. Ascent is made up a shallow diagonal gully directly to the peak. Protection is minimal in summer. (Grade. 3)
e) HIGH PEAK (2275m) may also be ascended from the Crow névé by a myriad of rock gullies or aretes joining the West Ridge of High Peak. Most of these routes tend to be single pitch climbs dependant on snow ramp heights, and the presence of bergschrunds. Protection is sparse in summer conditions, however the rock grades are very low, typically grade 8. (Grade. 2+)
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