Jason & Joe's Excellent Adventure

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JASON & JOE'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE Jason Westland Come winter, two trampers foolishly decided to give up their weekend routines of pubbing, watching videos, andSundayo drivestobecome hard-core alpine climbers (1*?Yer, Right&?). Joe Fraser and I set our eyes on some alpine climbing in the Arrowsmith Range. Afterl learninga litleaboutropeandalpineworkand a few practise climbs on Mts Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, andEgmont, we were on our way. W: e met up with a few other keen climbers at the ferry andcrossedadeadcalmCookStrait to Picton. Upon arrival, we immediately sighted (and conquered) our first trip mission - Mount Cook! (The fact that it was a ten foot replica at the Picton playground had no bearing on our enthusiasm). After obtaining a few photos (and glares from members The view from near the summit, Jagged Peak Jason Westland of the public), we drove to Christchurch and bunked at some unfortunate person's place around climb in the South Island, we were Heartspumping: and adrenalin flowing, midnight. After an early start the next stunned by the infinite range of it was easyt to see how people become morning, wel FOUND (and climbed) our snowcappedpeaksandcrevassefields. addicted to this sport. Twenty metres second major peak of the trip Mount from the summit, we weret forcedtoturn Somers (do signposts count?). Around mid-morning we took a break back because of the gradient and from plugging steps and watched the avalanche danger. Hoping to beat Finally arrivingdt.okeHeron, weloaded progress of our friends on the opposite darkness, we retraced our steps back our packs and began the leisurely five side of the valley attempting Mt down thee east ridge where we watched hour tramp to the head oft the Cameron Arrowsmith. Without warning, an ice- the sunset from Jagged Col. With the Valley. All was well until a female long cliff above them gave way, and an going much easier now, we shot down distancer erunnerfi flewpastusatwicet the avalanche passed within 5 metres, theglacier andacrossthemorainel back legal speed limit. So much for thinking taking out the whole snowfield below to camp. Joe, however, decidedtolose we were fit! them. Al little shaken, we continued up his lower body in a crevasse halfway the glacier and just below Jagged Col down the glacier, just for the sake of We set up camp at the base of the we came upon a huge wall of ice. We turning the trip into an epic. Cameron Glacier and checked out the tried to climb it, but an overhanging various routes and peaks that were ledge neart thet topforced usl back down After a huge feed and plenty of tall available. Keen to practise our rope and around this awesome feature. stories, we decidedto catch somezzz's. skills, we decided to attempt Jagged However, around midnight we began Peak viaJagged Col and the east ridge. We continued belaying, slowly getting to get a little worried about our two A huge feed and an early night soon used to the gradient, height above the mates, also attempting Jagged, but via sawtwobudding trampersdreamingof glacier, andbynow, theconstant sound the south ridge. We were considering vertical ice-cliffs and huge views. of avalanches. By midday we had going back up to see what had reachedJaggedColandbrokeforlunch. happened when in they walked. Don After an early start, we set off up the Setting up snowstakes and prusiks, we had fallen (unroped) into a crevasse moraine wall and onto the glacier, still each took care of nature las one didn't and spent the next two hours climbing crisp from the previous night's frost. want to slip off the face!). Some out! Bags not! Dawn saw US halfway up the Cameron unfortunate lad photographed his Glacier, admiring the spectacular views helpless mate while in the act, and got After eighthours sleep andastrolle down of Tent Peak, Mt Arrowsmith, Jagged snappedhimselfnexe on slidefilm, which the Cameron Glacier, we reached the Peak, and the most awesome sunrise was displayed at the following Club car, two totally knackered punters, to abovelakeHeron. Beingourfirst alpine night! Don't you hate that! complete an awesome trip. TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING