Sawyer's Crag is a sub-alpine crag located above Sawyer Stream, behind Unwin Lodge, at Aoraki Mount Cook
National Park. The crag starts from the stream at about 740 metres altitude and tops out on Hoophorn Spur at 1000 metres. It faces north and catches the sun.
Most of the routes are bolted, but take natural gear for additional anchors and placements on some routes.
There have been some fixed ropes left in place, use at your own peril.
There is plenty of scope for more routes, both natural and bolted.
Note that this area is a domestic water catchment area and must not be polluted.
It is possible to scramble between the top of "Paper Tiger", past the "Joggers' Special" wall, to the climbs
centered around "Bone China".
To gain access to Sawyer's Crag, walk up the vehicle access track behind Unwin Lodge past the watertanks. Follow the water intake pipe until you can enter the bush just above the historic "A" frame from the old power scheme, follow the track up to the remains of the old pipe-line bridge. Cross the stream onto the true right, by using the rocks down-stream from the bridge. Climb "Pipeline Rib" to the left of the bridge.
Above the rock rib, ascend the grass slopes to the crag.
There is also a steep access route directly above the end of the bridge, to the top of "Pipeline Rib".
The track starts from the bridge cable attachment point on the true R side of the stream. It was recut and flagging tape added 10/4/22. A replacement handline was added then too. The track is flagged above the handline as well. It gets overgrown very quickly.
If Sawyer Stream is too high to cross safely then access can be made by crossing the stream near the gravel pit and ascending Hoophorn Spur via the grass slopes. You can then abseil down the crag with double ropes from the chain anchors on top of "Jogger's Special".
Warning:
DO NOT ATTEMPT THE GRASS SLOPES WHEN WET!
BE PREPARED TO FIND YOUR OWN ANCHORS AND GEAR PLACEMENTS.
TAKE A HELMET.
CLIMB AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Routes
| Reference | Title | Grade | Length | Pro | Quality | Operations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pipeline Rib | 14 | 45m |  |
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| 2 | Don't Forget the Kids | 13 | |
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| 3 | Don't Forget the Guide Book | 13 | |
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| 4 | Access Route | 18 | 25m | 2 |
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| 5 | Paper Tiger | 17 | 25m | 2 |
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| 6 | Jogger's Special | 16 | 45m | 4 |
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| 7 | Foxglove | 18 | 20m | 4 |
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| 8 | Bone China | 17 | 25m | 8 |
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| 9 | Shark Walk | 17 | 50m | |
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| 10 | Look and See | 12 | |
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