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Te Ao Whekere

OPEN: Access is subject to conditions.
Updated 18 December 2024, by Richard Thomson.

Permission is required to cross private land. Log in for contact details.

Type
Altitude
2590m

The second highest peak of the Seaward Kaikōura Range and a good winter climb.

Image
Lat/lon
-42.18612734,173.69489759, NZ Topo Map
Topo50
BT27 574 293
Approach

North of Kaikōura, turn off SH1 onto Puhi Puhi Rd on the north bank of the Hapuku River bridge. The shortest route is from Happy Valley but permission must be obtained to cross Puhi Peaks Station land.

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Routes

Reference Title Grade Length Pro Quality Alert Operations
 Jordan Stream Route, II,1- II,1- 2300m
0

Follow Jordan Stream to the major fork, and continue up the true left branch till at 700m where the stream swings west. Just upstream of the 700m contour, look for a scree that goes most of the way down to the true left branch, climb this onto the major spur running north-west. The spur levels at 1500m, where there are campsites, with water in the head of Range Stream. Continue to the tops surrounding the head of Happy Valley Stream, follow around the rim and north to the summit. A long but straightforward route.


  • P1
  • Alpine (Commitment) II
  • Alpine (Technical) 1-
  • 2300m

 Totaranui Route, II,1- II,1- 2200m
0

The major spur of the Jordan Stream Route can also be joined at around 1400m by following spurs from Totaranui Farm on Puhi Puhi Rd. The spur levels at 1500m, where there are campsites, with water in the head of Range Stream. Continue to the tops surrounding the head of Happy Valley Stream, follow around the rim and north to the summit. A long but straightforward route. Request permission from Brent Barber, phone 027 272 6315.


  • P1
  • Alpine (Commitment) II
  • Alpine (Technical) 1-
  • 2200m

 Happy Valley Route, II,1 II,1 2000m
0

Happy Valley is reached via Puhi Peaks Station and permission is required to cross their land.
At a gate on a saddle overlooking Puhi Peaks Station, follow ridge-top fence lines west to Pt 1086m, then farm tracks which descend into Happy Valley. There is a good campsite on a tussock shelf (map ref BT27 597 287). Climb steep tussock and scree slopes above the campsite, or a rocky rib slightly downstream, to a scree spur, and sidle into the large basin east of the summit. Alternatively, continue up to the head of Happy Valley Stream, and climb scree northwards, crossing a spur falling from point 2430m, and easy slopes to the summit. This is also a good descent route.


  • P1
  • Alpine (Commitment) II
  • Alpine (Technical) 1
  • 2000m


HR HRHaycock Ridge 0m
0

A remote and very long route from the Waiau Toa Clarence valley. The start of the ridge at Haycock Saddle can be reached in two ways. One is from the end of the 4WD track at Stony Flat on the south bank of the Waiau Toa Clarence River (55 km from Kahutara Bridge on the Inland Kaikoura Road). The alternative is from the lower Waiau Toa Clarence, via George Saddle and then up Jam Stream. A rocky tower at 2130m is the main obstacle.


  • P1


Images

Comments
Attribution
Ben Winnubst
Shaun Barnett/ Black Robin Photograhy.
UUID
 
c3540e02-1621-459f-8d93-ad0aaa076e3a