6.24 PHIPPS PEAK (1965m) / MT TEMPLE (1913m) TRAVERSE. Ascend PHIPPS PEAK (route 6.9). The joining ridge with MT TEMPLE is relatively straightforward and well protected to the first notch in the ridge. From here climbers should stay on the ridge back in preference to “climbing low” around obstacles. The ridge narrows into several slabby pinnacles (beware slab avalanche) that must be protected climbs. On reaching the scree saddle it is an easy ascent onto MT TEMPLE. Descend (route 6.13) to Temple Basin ski field. (Grade. 2)
7. LOWER OTIRA VALLEY CLIMBS
OTIRA CLIMBS
The mountains above Otira are mostly straightforward climbs. Routes to MT BARRON (1726m) and GOATHILL (1656) are on tramping routes.
7.1 ANDERSON PEAK (1840m) and MT ARMSTRONG (2110m) are long climbs which can be done by fit parties in a day from Otira. The Rolleston River Track is followed to where it leaves the scrub and crosses the river. A climb west is then made to the spur which separates the Rolleston River from the stream draining Lake Florence. The spur is followed all the way for the climb of MT ARMSTRONG. To climb ANDERSON PEAK, leave the spur and sidle towards the saddle above Lake Florence. The icecap of MT ARMSTRONG can be quite unstable at times. (Grade. 1)
7.2 MT PHILISTINE (1967m) is climbable via the giant gully that rises steeply for 1100 metres from the Rolleston River track (1.5km upstream of the railway bridge). This gut can be threatened by rock or icefall in almost any season, and is invariably a very steep ice / loose scree climb for the final 200 metres to the col between MT PHILISTINE and its northwest summit (1780m). (Route 6.8) to Warnocks Knob should be used as the preferred descent route. (Grade. 2-)
7.3 KELLYS HILL (1394m) is a simple climb from Kelly Saddle and the Carroll Hut. It is a 2 hour climb from Kelly Shelter on Highway 73 to Carroll Hut. The TV repeater is actually on a higher lump (1408m). (Grade. 1-)
7.4 RANGI TAIPO (1459m) is a very long day outing from Carroll Hut. You must firstly climb KELLYS HILL (route 7.3), descending steeply to the saddle on the Bald Range, then follow a series of terraces to avoid the numerous buttresses on the ridge back. There are steep ascents on slabby rock as the final approach to the summit is made. The track leading to the Taipo River is overgrown. (Grade. 1+)
8. MINGHA / DECEPTION VALLEY
MINGHA RIVER & HEAD-WATERS
MT OATES (2041m) stands aloft the head-waters of the Mingha River. The normal approach route leaves Goat Pass ascending easy slopes via Lake Mavis...
8.1 From Lake Mavis continue along the Main Divide to join the main North Ridge at
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