Annalikeslenses - Sep 30, 2019 12:24 pm Date Climbed: Mar 8, 2019
Spectacular 360 views
Up and down Scott's Track (we were a little short on time driving in from Oamaru that morning, hence opting to do the "easier" route both ways rather than a loop) for beautiful high cloud views at the summit! Definitely a steep route with some slippery tree roots to navigate but the payoff is fantastic. Only disappointing part was no keas anywhere :(
setrent - Dec 9, 2017 11:37 pm Date Climbed: Dec 5, 2017
From trail
A nice trail to the summit!
Baarb - Mar 21, 2016 9:09 pm Date Climbed: Feb 12, 2016
Good fun
Headed up via Scott's Route, took about 2.5 hours from the car park to the summit. Kept going round to Lyell Peak and then Mt. Bealey before heading back down the Bealey ridge/cliff edge.
damgaard - Mar 30, 2015 6:01 am Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2015
Lyell bonus
Got up at 7. All clouds. Checked again at 8. Somewhat better, so left the valley at around 9. Cloud cover still hovered at 1.100 m but slowly burned off and from 12 no clouds left :)
Avalanche track up. I left the trail at approx. 1.400 m and headed for the ridge between Lyell and Avalanche and then followed it the summit of Lyell. Easy terrain, boulders and simple scrambling. Afterwards followed the ridge on the east side from Lyell all the way to Avalanche. Only last part was a little steep but still easy.Great, great views and three keas on the summit. Scott's track down. 7 hours total.
ajberry - Jan 19, 2015 6:49 pm Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2015
Up, down by standard routes
Up the Avalanche Pk track (straight up the side of the hill; a rather joyless ascent) and down by Scott's track (much nicer, as it follows a minor shoulder down. Much more open, better views). Spent some time on the ridges up top: wandered over towards Lyell and wish, in retrospect, that I'd known about the Avy-Lyell-Bealey traverse... Also went along the ridge towards Rolleston: handsome views into the Crow Glacier basin. A pair of quite insistent kea on the summit of Avy.
Looks like we were there on the same day :) - and yes, the right way to go must be Bealey, Lyell, Avy and then Scott down.
juneauhiker - Mar 11, 2012 5:37 am Date Climbed: Feb 15, 2012
Southern Alps Weather
The clouds looked like there were lifting so I started up hoping to do an avalanche peak track-crow valley-Waimakariri Valley-Mt Philistine-Otira Valley 3 day loop. The clouds never lifted above maybe 200m below the summit and so I missed the views and couldn't find the route to crow valley so I hiked down Scott's track and slept at Arthurs Pass. I started the loop again from the Waimak valley and had fine weather the next two days :)
orienteraren - May 6, 2011 4:27 pm Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2009
Almost there...
Did a solo attempt but had to turn around at the summit ridge just ~40 m short of the summit due to very high and gusty winds. Came back two years later, just to be welcomed by low clouds, heavy rain and high winds down in the village so I didn´t even make a second attempt.
rgg - Mar 30, 2011 10:59 am Date Climbed: Jan 2, 2007
Second day in a row
Same peak as yesterday, but along different routes. This time I was on the first day of a five day hike. I ascended Mount Bealey from Arthur's Pass along the Bealey track, then scrambled north to Mt Lyell, Avalanche Peak and beyond, ending the day at Crow hut. By then, my bananas were a bit mushy, so I ate all of them.
In fact, I hadn't planned this, but as I got to Arthur's Pass a few days before, I went into the local DOC office, got to talking to one of the rangers and ended up getting invited to go along on this route with him and a few of his friends! That sounded like an excellent idea to me, so I happily accepted.
I would continue deeper into the wilderness by myself the next day, the others would hike back out from Crow hut. They were great company!
rgg - Mar 30, 2011 10:39 am Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2007
Day hike
Up Avalanche Peak Track, down Scott's track. It was a fine day, partly cloudy, little wind.
As I was enjoying the views from the summit, a couple of other hikers came up, and they had carried a stove - and offered me something hot too, which I gladly accepted.
zebedee - Feb 5, 2011 7:23 pm Date Climbed: Jan 14, 2011
Went up avalanche track and down scotts
so lucky with this hike, got perfect weather. started early to avoid the heat, the day before was warm. i got to the summit shortly after 9 and it was getting warm then.
i went up the avalanche peak track and down the scott track, a very good hike. i keep a good pace so done it well below the estimated 6-8 hrs.
we stayed in the YHA, the guys there are very nice. they let my partner hang there until i returned, free of charge. top guys and a nice place.
ericandlucie - Jun 9, 2008 9:17 pm Date Climbed: Dec 3, 2007
Brian Jenkins - Feb 25, 2008 10:24 pm Date Climbed: Feb 21, 2008
Great Day
Up in about 2 hours on Scotts Track. Beautiful weather and friendly kea at top. Went on to do 3 more in the area this day. Met a guy from Wellington at the summit who'd been hiking this for 50+ years. Fun day in perfect weather.
Britette - Jan 24, 2008 6:53 pm Date Climbed: Jan 16, 2008
Fun Climb
Up Scott's track to summit and then continued along ridge to Lyell Peak. Would like to go all way to Bealy but not enough time. Descended directly from Lyell and met up with Avalanche Creek track at bushline.
Kenneth.alone - Jan 4, 2008 12:26 am Date Climbed: Mar 6, 2005
Good hill.
I had a good hike up by myself, nice view and a sweet smelling breeze!
Attila the Hun - May 19, 2007 7:12 am Date Climbed: Apr 22, 2007
Arthurs Pass
Took in Avalanche peak when coming in from a loop to the North. Great day, great views and some of the obligatory 'cheeky kea' on top. Nice day-hike.
boisedoc - Apr 7, 2007 2:21 am Date Climbed: Feb 2, 1995
great day
One of the few nice days while I was on the South Island. Steep ascent from Arthurs Pass. I came down the backside and had a pretty exhausting hike on glacial debris back to the highway.
Juho - Sep 5, 2006 10:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2006
Route Climbed: Scott's Track
Waist-deep snow, supposedly extreme risk of avalanches. Didn't see any, heard there was one.
joe_akeem - Jul 20, 2006 10:02 am Date Climbed: Feb 14, 2006
Route Climbed: Scott's Track
Loved the vegetation on the way up and the views from the summit. The weather was pretty good too. I'll be more carefull next time not to miss the turnoff of the trail from the main road.
mpbro - May 9, 2006 3:12 am Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2006
More of a real peak than we expected
Kim and I did this one in spite of the fact she is 5 months pregnant. A little more strenuous than she was hoping for, but she made it fine. We went up Scotts Track, down Avalanche Peak Track. Scotts Track was muddier than hell; I preferred the other. But given the amount of scrambling on Avalanche Peak Track, I would have taken my wife down Scotts Track if done again. Lots of jarring.
The clouds hung over the summit until we were safely off the peak, at which point they lifted completely! Oh well. Had a nice lunch, espresso, and ice cream after the climb.
For Americans, this would be considered a "scramble". Some class 3 stuff in spots, but it's the exposure near the top that would give most people pause. With wind and/or snow, it could be pretty hairy!
Annalikeslenses - Sep 30, 2019 12:24 pm Date Climbed: Mar 8, 2019
Spectacular 360 viewsUp and down Scott's Track (we were a little short on time driving in from Oamaru that morning, hence opting to do the "easier" route both ways rather than a loop) for beautiful high cloud views at the summit! Definitely a steep route with some slippery tree roots to navigate but the payoff is fantastic. Only disappointing part was no keas anywhere :(
setrent - Dec 9, 2017 11:37 pm Date Climbed: Dec 5, 2017
From trailA nice trail to the summit!
Baarb - Mar 21, 2016 9:09 pm Date Climbed: Feb 12, 2016
Good funHeaded up via Scott's Route, took about 2.5 hours from the car park to the summit. Kept going round to Lyell Peak and then Mt. Bealey before heading back down the Bealey ridge/cliff edge.
damgaard - Mar 30, 2015 6:01 am Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2015
Lyell bonusGot up at 7. All clouds. Checked again at 8. Somewhat better, so left the valley at around 9. Cloud cover still hovered at 1.100 m but slowly burned off and from 12 no clouds left :)
Avalanche track up. I left the trail at approx. 1.400 m and headed for the ridge between Lyell and Avalanche and then followed it the summit of Lyell. Easy terrain, boulders and simple scrambling. Afterwards followed the ridge on the east side from Lyell all the way to Avalanche. Only last part was a little steep but still easy.Great, great views and three keas on the summit. Scott's track down. 7 hours total.
ajberry - Jan 19, 2015 6:49 pm Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2015
Up, down by standard routesUp the Avalanche Pk track (straight up the side of the hill; a rather joyless ascent) and down by Scott's track (much nicer, as it follows a minor shoulder down. Much more open, better views). Spent some time on the ridges up top: wandered over towards Lyell and wish, in retrospect, that I'd known about the Avy-Lyell-Bealey traverse... Also went along the ridge towards Rolleston: handsome views into the Crow Glacier basin. A pair of quite insistent kea on the summit of Avy.
damgaard - Mar 30, 2015 6:08 am
Re: Up, down by standard routesLooks like we were there on the same day :) - and yes, the right way to go must be Bealey, Lyell, Avy and then Scott down.
juneauhiker - Mar 11, 2012 5:37 am Date Climbed: Feb 15, 2012
Southern Alps WeatherThe clouds looked like there were lifting so I started up hoping to do an avalanche peak track-crow valley-Waimakariri Valley-Mt Philistine-Otira Valley 3 day loop. The clouds never lifted above maybe 200m below the summit and so I missed the views and couldn't find the route to crow valley so I hiked down Scott's track and slept at Arthurs Pass. I started the loop again from the Waimak valley and had fine weather the next two days :)
orienteraren - May 6, 2011 4:27 pm Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2009
Almost there...Did a solo attempt but had to turn around at the summit ridge just ~40 m short of the summit due to very high and gusty winds. Came back two years later, just to be welcomed by low clouds, heavy rain and high winds down in the village so I didn´t even make a second attempt.
rgg - Mar 30, 2011 10:59 am Date Climbed: Jan 2, 2007
Second day in a rowSame peak as yesterday, but along different routes. This time I was on the first day of a five day hike. I ascended Mount Bealey from Arthur's Pass along the Bealey track, then scrambled north to Mt Lyell, Avalanche Peak and beyond, ending the day at Crow hut. By then, my bananas were a bit mushy, so I ate all of them.
In fact, I hadn't planned this, but as I got to Arthur's Pass a few days before, I went into the local DOC office, got to talking to one of the rangers and ended up getting invited to go along on this route with him and a few of his friends! That sounded like an excellent idea to me, so I happily accepted.
I would continue deeper into the wilderness by myself the next day, the others would hike back out from Crow hut. They were great company!
rgg - Mar 30, 2011 10:39 am Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2007
Day hikeUp Avalanche Peak Track, down Scott's track. It was a fine day, partly cloudy, little wind.
As I was enjoying the views from the summit, a couple of other hikers came up, and they had carried a stove - and offered me something hot too, which I gladly accepted.
zebedee - Feb 5, 2011 7:23 pm Date Climbed: Jan 14, 2011
Went up avalanche track and down scottsso lucky with this hike, got perfect weather. started early to avoid the heat, the day before was warm. i got to the summit shortly after 9 and it was getting warm then.
i went up the avalanche peak track and down the scott track, a very good hike. i keep a good pace so done it well below the estimated 6-8 hrs.
we stayed in the YHA, the guys there are very nice. they let my partner hang there until i returned, free of charge. top guys and a nice place.
ericandlucie - Jun 9, 2008 9:17 pm Date Climbed: Dec 3, 2007
Avalanche track to Scotty's RidgeNice conditioning hike and great views of Mt Rolleston, among others. Check out our trip report and pictures on our website.
Brian Jenkins - Feb 25, 2008 10:24 pm Date Climbed: Feb 21, 2008
Great DayUp in about 2 hours on Scotts Track. Beautiful weather and friendly kea at top. Went on to do 3 more in the area this day. Met a guy from Wellington at the summit who'd been hiking this for 50+ years. Fun day in perfect weather.
Britette - Jan 24, 2008 6:53 pm Date Climbed: Jan 16, 2008
Fun ClimbUp Scott's track to summit and then continued along ridge to Lyell Peak. Would like to go all way to Bealy but not enough time. Descended directly from Lyell and met up with Avalanche Creek track at bushline.
Kenneth.alone - Jan 4, 2008 12:26 am Date Climbed: Mar 6, 2005
Good hill.I had a good hike up by myself, nice view and a sweet smelling breeze!
Attila the Hun - May 19, 2007 7:12 am Date Climbed: Apr 22, 2007
Arthurs PassTook in Avalanche peak when coming in from a loop to the North. Great day, great views and some of the obligatory 'cheeky kea' on top. Nice day-hike.
boisedoc - Apr 7, 2007 2:21 am Date Climbed: Feb 2, 1995
great dayOne of the few nice days while I was on the South Island. Steep ascent from Arthurs Pass. I came down the backside and had a pretty exhausting hike on glacial debris back to the highway.
Juho - Sep 5, 2006 10:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2006
Route Climbed: Scott's TrackWaist-deep snow, supposedly extreme risk of avalanches. Didn't see any, heard there was one.
joe_akeem - Jul 20, 2006 10:02 am Date Climbed: Feb 14, 2006
Route Climbed: Scott's TrackLoved the vegetation on the way up and the views from the summit. The weather was pretty good too. I'll be more carefull next time not to miss the turnoff of the trail from the main road.
mpbro - May 9, 2006 3:12 am Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2006
More of a real peak than we expectedKim and I did this one in spite of the fact she is 5 months pregnant. A little more strenuous than she was hoping for, but she made it fine. We went up Scotts Track, down Avalanche Peak Track. Scotts Track was muddier than hell; I preferred the other. But given the amount of scrambling on Avalanche Peak Track, I would have taken my wife down Scotts Track if done again. Lots of jarring.
The clouds hung over the summit until we were safely off the peak, at which point they lifted completely! Oh well. Had a nice lunch, espresso, and ice cream after the climb.
For Americans, this would be considered a "scramble". Some class 3 stuff in spots, but it's the exposure near the top that would give most people pause. With wind and/or snow, it could be pretty hairy!