airborne ice and snow therefore their prediction is near impossible. Take heed of previous weather conditions before venturing into this area.
In winter, a temporary snow-bridge forms over the White River chasm below Barker Hut. Assess its strength and rope-up before using it. Alternatively use the ramp a little further upstream (below the 28m fall), or travel via the terminal of the Marmaduke Dixon Glacier.
Before moving onto the névés of the White or Marmaduke Dixon Glaciers, spend some time (like a day) observing the sluffs that sweep down off the various ridgelines, and previous debris patterns. Don’t be surprised to learn that very few square metres avoid this activity. Adjust your skiing appropriately. A good run is to climb the Marmaduke Dixon to its (corniced) saddle separating it from the White Glacier.
KELLY RANGE
The Kelly Range is accessed some 16 km north of Arthur’s Pass Village (3km north of Otira) on Highway 73. A walking track leads off behind Kelly Shelter, climbing steeply for about 2 hours before it emerges at Carroll Hut, just below Kelly Saddle. In winter carry an iceaxe and possibly crampons for the final part of the track, as it tends to be a goat-trail benched into the side of a cliff, and ice or loose snow in the scree guts can be treacherous. Skiing on the Kelly Range is nothing new, as a rope tow used to exist on the slopes leading to Kelly Saddle in the mid 1940’s.
The Kelly Range requires good west / northwest snowfalls before it comes into condition, though a good base normally forms early in winter due to it’s more northerly location. Most ski tourers prefer to base themselves at the Carroll Hut, taking full day trips out along both the Kelly and Bald Ranges. Snow camping is also possible, however surface water is very scarce as most tarns are frozen. The terrain on the Kelly Range tends to be undulating hills, and because of this it is not recommended to tour in poor visibility as landmarks are rare. Finding your way back to Carroll Hut, or much worse your tent, may lead to an unpleasant bout of exposure. There is also very steep drop-offs on both sides of the range which should be avoided.
A more demanding and exciting trip with excellent views is out to Rangi Taipo (1459m) at the end of the Bald Range. You must first ascend Kellys Hill (1394m). The terrain is very steep in places, and good skiing ability is a must, as are avalanche assessment skills. Take an iceaxe, crampons, and rope for the traverse around one of the major buttresses. Good snow cover and conditions are essential. Kellys Hill southern slopes above Carroll Hut can provide snow-boarders with lots of distraction.
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