2. NZ
  3. South Island
  4. Westland
  5. Smyth Range
  2. NZ
  3. South Island
  4. Westland
  5. Wanganui River
  6. Smyth Range

Smyth Range

(1 route)

The Smyth Range divides the Wanganui and Waitaha catchments. The tops are wide and spacious
from Mt Durward to Mt Barry, with great campsites in fine weather. Small pocket glaciers – such as
the Kea Glacier – still exist, adding a modicum of alpine ambience. Much of the range is composed
of shattered schist. The peaks are all very easy to traverse as far as Mt Barry, but getting on and off the
range requires more effort and skill. Smyth was a surveyor on the West Coast during the 1880s.

Type: 
Range
Access: 

Wanganui approaches
From the lower Wanganui Valley, Tarpot Creek can be used to approach the lower Smyth Range.
Tarpot Creek, near SH6, was an old hunting access to the tops on Karnback Ridge during Forest
Service days. Follow up Tarpot Creek to forks at I34 189807 / BW17 089 191. A little way up the true
right branch, old permolat and coloured tape leads up onto the ridge on the true right of this creek
and follows it up to Pt 1069 metres. This route is not too bad, and locals keep the line followable and
trimmed in places. Scrub in the dip between Pt 1069 metres and the 1100-metre contour is okay if
you pick a line carefully. Travel is then open tussock along Karnback past Mt Ashmore to the Smyth
Range.
Waitaha approaches
Normally, the Smyth Range is approached from the Waitaha Valley. From Kiwi Flat in the Waitaha
Valley, a track begins up Labyrinth Creek and climbs the spur on the true right to Pt 1125 metres.
The track continues south down to Scamper Torrent at I34 263814 / BW17 163 198, where markers may
be hard to locate. Scamper Torrent Hut is as marked, 20 metres above the river on a tussock terrace
upstream.
An old marked route on Headlong Spur from the Waitaha Valley also gives reasonable access to the
range. There is a small tarn at J34 306816 / BW18 206 200 at the 1400-metre contour.
A marked route behind Moonbeam Hut climbs to the tops up the narrow spur between Dorothy
Creek and Moonbeam Torrent, sidling into Dorothy Creek at about the 1060-metre contour and
continuing up this dry creekbed to the tops and the upper part of Clearview Spur.
There is also a steep route off Clearview Spur down to the County Valley. A little above Pt 1690
metres, leave Clearview where the 1700-metre contour crosses the ridge and descend the faces between
Canary Creek and the next creek downstream into the County, opposite the hut. This can be a dangerous
route in wet conditions.

New Zealand map

Map, Topo

Lat/Lon: 
-43.184300000000, 170.769800000000
NZMS260: 
I34 287 779
Topo50: 
BW17 188 163
Reference Title Grade Length Quality Bolts Gone Natural pro Link to edit content
Traversing the Smyth Range
0
Much of the Smyth Range has been traversed, from Mt Ashmore right through to Mt Evans. As far as Mt Barry only high altitude tramping skills are really necessary. There is an exposed steep section near Pt 1544 metres (west of Scamper Torrent) on which some may prefer the security of a rope. A sidle may also be required between Pt 1684 metres and Pt 1860 metres. From Mt Durward to Mt Smyth and on to Mts Neville and Barry the range offers wonderful travel on fine shingle with spectacular views over the surrounding wild ranges. The section from Pt 1970 metres to Pt 1667 metres is reputed to be impractical, but a climbing party might negotiate all or parts of it. Alternatively, the range crest can be bypassed through the head of the Smyth River and Bradshaw Creek. From Pt 1830 metres descend the upper Smyth, sidling as necessary to avoid slabs and falls before heading back up Bradshaw Creek. 235 The Westland Alps Wanganui Or continue down the Smyth. A small gorge requires scrambling skills and wading between Bradshaw and the 1060m contour in the river. See Smyth River.
Attribution: 
Yvonne Cook and Geoff Spearpoint, in association with the Canterbury Mountaineering Club

Places

Type Title Link to edit content
Pass Red Lion Col (0 routes)
Pass Smyth Saddle, Pt1667m (0 routes)
Mountain Mt Barry (0 routes)

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