Tapuae-o-Uenuku and Mt Alarm

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Tapuae-o-Uenuku and Mt Alarm Gary Scott Six keen trampers headed for the hills the week before Labour Weekend to avoid the crowds on the most popular peak in the Inland Kaikoura Range. "he walk in up the Hodder River became a familiar stretch of water after the sixty-plus river crossings. Luckily for us the weather was fantastic making the crossings quite pleasant, although there have been reports of people getting frostbite from this walk, SO be warned! The river narrowed through some excellent gorge sections with very high steep-sided walls, making it a really worthwhile trip in itself. The huts at the head of the Hodder River provided great views down the valley. An early start the next morning had us out on our way before sunrise. Wel headed up the Staircase Stream and donned our crampons for the long slog up the western slope to the main plateau while the snow was still crisp and firm. During our ascent the clouds were gathering which meant that each of us got a different view depending on our relative speed up the mountain. Unfortunately, my view left a lot to the imagination, though it took nothing away from the sense of achievement for having scaled the highest peak in New Zealand outside the Southern Alps (2,885m). The climb is a straightforward ridge walk, which offers very rewarding views from the top (so the others tell me). As we watched the cloud level rising to consume the peaks one by one, we looked across to Mt. Alarm, each of us viewing itwith differing levels of enthusiasm. It had already felt like a long day and it wasn't even 11.30 am. Mt. Alarm is only 8 m lower than Tapuae-o-Uenuku but the bluff on the ridge between the two peaks results in Tapuae-0-Uenuku from Mt. Alarm Harry Smith a frustrating loss of height to get from one to the other. Mt. Alarm was a more technical challenge than Tapuae- By the time we returned to the Hodder Huts that evening o-Uenuku. The ridge was more exposed, proving to be it had been a long and tiring 12%2 hour day. After a delimore a test of the nerves than technical skills. The ex- cious dinner we were pleased to climb into our pits that perience and confidence within the group made up for night. Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip in a those of us who were pushing the boundaries of our beautiful part of New Zealand. personal "comfort zones". We roped up for a couple of pitches towards the top due to the exposure, allowing us Summary: to climb with confidence. The peak itself is a small loose Tapuae-o-Uenuku is a highly recommended trip for rock ridge with severe drops on all sides, and large trampers of reasonable fitness with a spare three-day enough for only 3-4 people to stand on top at one time. weekend. It combines an excellent walk up the valley and a relatively non-technical ascent to the summit for breath- After spending a few minutes admiring the long steep taking views across the Kaikoura ranges and beyond. Mt. view straight down, and catching occasional clear Alarm offers more of a technical challenge than Tapuaeglimpses ofTapuae-o-Uenuku, itwas time to head back. o-Uenuku, with its more, pronounced ridges and steeper This proved to be a challenge and it certainly felt good slopes. to bel back on firm, flat ground again; we all agreed that it was definitely worth the extra effort to climb the two Trampers: Harry Smith (leader), Phil Kendon, John Holt, peaks in one day. Jordy (Jimi') Hendrix, Rhys Burns, Gary Scott (scribe). Tramping and Mountaineering 1997