LIABILITY WAIVER
This mountain conditions advisory is provided as a public service by Aspiring Guides Ltd. It is intended as an advisory only. Those endeavouring to travel into any of the areas mentioned do so at their own risk. Backcountry travellers should be well informed about current weather, snowpack and avalanche hazards and should not travel alone. All members of your party should wear a transceiver (457khz) and know how to use it. In addition everyone should carry a shovel, and a probe. Travellers should advise someone where they are travelling, and when they will next make contact. |
Topic: Black Peak Conditions 15 Sept
Comment: New snow aplenty around Black Peak Hut. 15cm fell on 15 Sep evening, with not much wind, ensuring an even blanket. Warmish conditions meant that the avalanche danger remained low to moderate. Great skiing on all aspects, with some care on slopes or cross-loaded gullies lee to W. however, warm weather will mean icy conditions.
Climbe Black Peak and skied down western slopes to 1350m. Last day great trip out via creek, with enough snow all the way and nice descent along creek just south of the toilet.
Entered by: Thomas S
Topic:
Black Peak Ski Tour 2-5 Sept.
Comment: Black Peak Hut is the chutney and relish capital of New Zealand.
Snow conditions are variable after a this period of warm temperatures. Dry snow is still available in shady areas and corn in the sun.
Wind scouring on west to southwest slopes makes route finding interesting in these areas. The creek is flowing so this is no longer desirable as a way out. A middle way crossing snow covered tussock and wind loaded gullies allowed a traverse to the open flats half way home on the 5th sept.
There was significant facetting under a thin surface crust in the southeast facing slopes at mid elevation (including the major rib that is traversed before climbing up to Towers Ridge)
Stefan
Topic:
Black Peak Conditions : 25 August 2011
Comment: Stability is good. Snow is indifferent on shady aspects. The ice is still in good shape thick and fat.
Entered by: Phil Penney
Topic:
Black Peak Conditions : 22 August 2011
Comment: Stability good.
We will need more snow very soon if someone could arrange that?
We had a Kea at the hut for the first time this season - little bastard chewed my ski poles.
PJ
Topic:
Black Peak Touring Conditions : 8 August 2011
Comment: Reasonable skiing in places, considering the severe gales from western quarter. A lot of cross loading from these winds, creating drummy pockets but easy to avoid.
The whole area above and about hut elevation has been really stripped and there don't be much snow below the hut either
Entered by: phil
Topic:
Black Peak Ice : 5 August 2011
Comment: Still good climbing conditions on the crags and plenty of options for different dificulties of climb.
Entered by: stefan
Topic:
Black Peak Ice Conditions : 2 August 2011
Comment: G'day all youse,
Ice is excellent. Anchors above shaded icefall closest to the blue barrel are mostly avalanche damaged and all are UNSAFE. Great conditions on lead though so self installed ice anchors are cool and groovy.
Watch the sunnier crags during the heat of the day when random small-very large chunks of ice are starting to bomb da base...
Entered by: PJ
Topic:
Black Peak Ice : 26 July 2011
Comment: All of the Black Peak crags are covered in phat blue ice! Great climbing!
Entered by: Tim
Topic:
Black Peak Ice : 18 July 2011
Comment: There is plenty of ice around though there is a fair bit of rotten ice covered in snow on the crags. The gully leading down from the hut has some goods water ice. Rescent storm snow has been scoured from spurs and ridges and filled in the gullies so travel down to the crags is safe. Ice should get better as snow consolidates further.
Entered by: Tim
