Cross the Lake Marian Track Bridge off the Hollyford Road and go directly through the forest to the base of the ridge. Follow a vegetated weekness left (south) under obvious cliff, then back right, then left again to reach the bush line (about 4 hrs). Then follow the ridge for about 9km to all summits.
The black cliff with slabby base that protects the final part of the E ridge to the true summit has yet to be climbed and has been bypassed by all known parties to the north.
There is a good bivy platform on the west side of the ridge about 200m N of the summit.
- P1
- Alpine (Technical) 3
Note: the photo is from Key Summit and shows the line of first ascent which also took in Mt Crosscut and Barrier Peak. There is a descent to Cirque Creek from near Christina’s north summit.
'Final black cliff' climbed directly, Jan 2022 via crack directly on ridge (6m, ~16) up first step, thereafter weaving just each side of ridge on subsequent easier steps. overall, the east ridge is a mammoth outing , aesthetic and with a big mountain feel, but marred by sustained loose rock and we (respectfully) felt deserved a lower star rating. Did without rope/rack/stove but all would be nice in places; with rope and handsized cams there is a stonking vertical corner crack in the black cliff,maybe 15-20m pitch.