Rolling Pin

This is a classic traverse taking in mind-expanding views of the Tasman Sea and if reversed, Mt Aspiring. Continue to the top of Shipowner Ridge from Colin Todd Hut and climb the snow and rock arête on to the south end of the summit ridge. The long level ridge is predominantly snow and is very exposed on the Therma Glacier side. Return to the hut via the Iso Glacier. The round trip takes about five hours.

Traverse across the Iso Glacier at about the same height as the hut until underneath the summit, which is reached by easy snow and rock. From the hut to the summit takes about two hours.

Situated on the West Face of Rolling Pin beneath the 35m abseil descent from the main summit, as seen from below, not the abseil at the end of the ridge. There are five routes, ranging in grade from 15 to 22, all on natural gear, all single pitches, on clean rock. (They were cairned at the time of their first ascents.) The crag is best approached from the hut, along the Iso Glacier (the one footing the West Face of Rolling Pin), well worth the walk.