Currently CLOSED due to the Feb 2024 Port Hills Fire.
Sport crag near the Sign of the Kiwi with about 89 bolted routes from 8 to 15m high( six are 23 m high ) and there are a number of climbs set up for multi pitch practice with double ring bolts installed mid point
The crag gets sun from the morning to mid afternoon.
THE FIRST TWO WALLS OF TRANSMITTER CRAG ARE NOW OPEN TO NZAC MEMBERS.
History:
In the summer of 1999-2000, Alex Palman and friends, (Mary Butler, Ivan Vostinar, Karen Ashbury, Max Farr, Kate Finnerty, Jon Sedon & Daniel Jenkins) were the first to develop and climb at Transmitter.
Through the rest of 2000, new routes were added in by, Tony Burnell, Jason Tweedie, Lindsay Main, Stu Allan & Marcus Thomas.
In 2001 Andrew Buist & John Iseli followed up by developing a few more new routes, setting up nearly 50 climbs at Transmitter.
In the summer of 2012-2013 the Canterbury/ Westland section of the NZAC cleaned up some easy terrain and installed a few easier sport climbs. At the same time a few of the harder gaps and other outlying crags, have been plugged by the usual suspects from around the district.
In April 2016 the Christchurch Adventure Park leased the valley for development of a mountain bike park, and the area was closed to the public while this was being developed. In February 2017, two months after the park opened, the Port Hills fire burned through the area, destroying the forest in much of the valley. The Adventure Park had to close the crag to climbers, but worked hard since then to remove burnt trees from the area.
Access
Christchurch Adventure Park has worked in partnership with the Alpine Club to reinstate access to Transmitter Crag. The southern part of the crag, the First Crag and NZAC Crag, are reopening for climbing in June 2019, under strict conditions.
OTHER SECTIONS OF THE CRAG ARE NOT OPEN AT THIS STAGE ( Status Quo Feb 2024 ).
The crag is open only to members of the New Zealand Alpine Club. Due to the Health & Safety responsibilities of the Adventure Park, all NZAC members are required to sign-in at the ticket office and provide their NZAC members details once they arrive at the Park and to access the crag via the chairlift only, for a fee of $5.
To speed up the sign-in process, ring the Adventure Park in advance of arriving. All members must have their Alpine Club membership number and climbing gear with them in order to sign-in and access the Lift.
The Alpine Club has established a valuable relationship with the Park which we are keen to continue, so all members must respect the rules of the Park!
You will receive further information regarding access paths etc. once you arrive at the Park to sign-in.
PLEASE NOTE (19/2/24 ).
Due to the Feb 2024 Port Hills Fire and the Christchurch Adventure Park being closed until further notice, this also means that Transmitter Crag which can only be accessed via the Adventure Park, is also closed.
The Port Hills Fire went across Transmitter Crag so all bolts, hangers and the rock itself will need to be checked and currently, there is no time frame for this.
Access to Transmitter Crag is only permitted via the chairlift.
From the chairlift top station walk down the spur and take a rough track downhill just left of the chairlift. Do not use the mountain bike trails.
After about 200 metres you will meet a road running across the slope. Follow this for about 50 metres to the right to a wandering line of six waratah markers with orange caps which mark the route down through pine tree seedlings. Follow the meandering track, which swings south into the trees briefly before switching back to the First Crag.
Follow a mix of markers - fluoro paint, flagging tape, and bamboo canes - down the slope and along the base of the crag.
Places
Images
Updated from pdf by Tony Burnell. 2014
Just a heads up that might save some time. When you register to access the crag you should be given a radio and hi-vis vest to take with you. Some staff don't seem to know this is the case so you might want to check before you get to the chair lift or you may end up waiting for these to be delivered after you get to the top. The path at the moment is pretty overgrown - nothing that a few extra people trampling down wouldn't solve though. :)
In case anyone was wondering, as of the 7th of January 2017 Transmitter is still closed according to Adventure Park.
Transmitter Crag will be CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC from 4th April 2016 to approximately October / November 2016 while the development and completion of the Christchurch Adventure Park is under way. The new owners, Select Evolution appreciate your understanding and patience while this work is undertaken and is considered a health and safety issue with tree felling, heavy machinery in use and an overall construction area. Once the work is complete, Transmitter crag will once again be open to the public.