Date: September 29, 2024
Location: Crown Range, Arrow Junction, Otago, New Zealand
Total Trip Distance: 10.66 mi / 17.15 km
Total Elevation Gain: 5,732 ft / 1,747 m
Trip Duration: 7 hour 37 min
Team: Emilie Agnew, Kevin Reid
Field Notes: From Crown Range Pass head in a northerly direction up and over Mount Scott, following the broad ridge to Mount Sale. Fun skiing east leads to a saddle between points 1617 and 1327. Losing some elevation, head north to gain Point 1308. From here continue north following the bumpy ridge to Cadrona. In all but the deepest of conditions some walking will be required. The route is often skied in the opposite direction.
Rating: F, 1.2, E1
Spring has tested my patience so far this year. I had visions of some cold, clear high pressure systems with a stable snowpack to climb and ski in the big mountains. Instead, it's been dumping snow and the avalanche hazard has been quite dangerous. As I write this, two people have been buried in the last week and one person dead.
With a beautiful weekend approaching the Southern Alps, the first in awhile, I was wracking my brain about what could work. Eventually, one has to question themselves if they need to think that hard about "what could be safe?" The reality is, it's dangerous out there in the high peaks. I don't know anyone who has climbed anything big or been up high. There's a saying I once heard - "the best climber is the one who knows when to stay home." I have observed myself becoming extremely impatient this week and realized that it is not the time to go high.
Thankfully I was able to have some open and honest conversations with my friend and climbing partner, Henry Frakes, whom I continue to learn from in more way than one.
So, what to do with a dangerous snowpack and beautiful weather? Find low angle terrain without overhead hazard. I was in conversation with two people whom I had met at a crevasse rescue training - Emilie and Kevin. I pitched the idea to them and gratefully they were keen.
We started the day at the top of Crown Range Pass to the surprise of a few Asian tourists who were wondering if this was the ski field. One of my favorite moments of the day was watching a small Japanese child stare in wonder as I packed my gear while I chatted to the father. Was that moment planting the seed deep in the child's subconscious mind that will germinate into the next generation of backcountry skiers?
Trail runners on, we climbed up Mount Scott until we hit the snowline at 1200 meters. The day was beautiful as we stood atop our first summit of the day, wasting no time and continuing on towards Crown Peak. We hopped a fence or two, skidded, took skis off, put skis back on and eventually hit great touring conditions as we neared the summit plateau of Crown Peak. The wind had decided to blow so we decided to keep moving. I remember my last time up here and know how immobilizing the wind can be if it gets into your bones.
Blue sky against white snow provides a surreal experience in the mountains. We were three black figures moving across the landscape. The snow had softened considerably and we were excited to ski the eastern aspects off Mount Sale. At the summit, we transitioned to ski mode and enjoyed perfect corn conditions into the basin near Point 1327. It was so much fun we decided to skin up near Point 1617 and enjoy one long run all the way down to our transition point.
The stoke was high as we regrouped at the bottom and everyone was beaming. I had low expectations of the snow conditions today and was happily proven wrong. We enjoyed a bite to eat and continued on to Point 1308, heading north from here.
The remainder of the day was a bit of slog. We spent a ton of time with skis off, walking in ski boots, our toes enduring solid punishment. The southern aspects provided snow, the northern aspects provided tussock. It wasn't an easy day by any means and I want to acknowledge that Kevin and Emilie were fantastic companions. Fit, great energy, good vibes. Good mountain partners... seek and ye shall find.
As we climbed the final 100 meters to greet the Cadrona Mountain road, we were way past schedule. No one was going to be up there at five in the evening. In my gut, which I trust more than anything, I could feel that (as my best bro Alex says) everything is always fine. I climbed up over the last slope, looked up the road and saw a truck ripping down the mountain. Holy shit! I blasted down the mountains with skins on. I ate shit. Kevin flew down after me. He ate shit. I got down to the road and flagged down the truck like someone was dead.
Desperation in my voice, "can you please give us a ride?!" We only have room for one. "Dude, please...we can sit in the ute." They chatted among themselves. Alright, let's go. Then Emilie comes over the slope. Incredibly, she didn't eat shit.
Riding down that mountain road as the sun set over the Otago Southern Alps was one of the sweetest feelings I've had in so long. Like finding a swimming hole after a stinking hot walk down from a mountain slope. As I walked along the ridge tops that day, I kept looking out at all of the mountains there are to explore in this country and the limitless potential they provide for all of the mountain disciplines. I am indeed grateful to spend my days here.
Happy days...
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