Welcome to this blog

Welcome to my explorations in Arthur's Pass National Park

Hi there, my name is Jonathan Moake.

Me crossing Travers Pass, Nelson Lakes NP in 2018

This is the first post for my new site about the many short and longer tramps you can undertake in Arthur's Pass National Park in the South Island of New Zealand. I have had a look around and could find no blogs which feature tramping in this wonderful park as their main subject matter.

The eastern boundary of the Arthur's Pass National Park at the Bealey Bridge

What is Arthur's Pass National Park?

 Arthur's Pass National Park is located on the South Island of New Zealand, is is one of 13 National Parks within New Zealand. Arthur's Pass was the third National Park gazetted after Mt Egmont/Taranaki and Tongariro both in the North Island The park is alpine in nature and features everything from braided rivers,  beautiful valley floors, to high alpine peaks and passes. 

Arthur's Pass straddles the Southern Alps between Canterbury and the West Coast of the South Island

The park extends over the Main Divide of the Southern Alps with its western border resting on the Taramakau River Valley on the West Coast.

The Otira Viaduct, on the western side of Arthur's Pass NP

At the centre of the park is Arthur's Pass township, a road/rail point close to a vital East-West pass crossing the main divide. The Southern Alps range up to 3000 meters, the highest point within the park is Mt Murchison (2800 meters) but more iconic is Mt Rolleston at 2275 meters asl. 

Mt Rolleston from the Waimakiriri River Bed in February of 2018

Upper reaches of the Hawdon Valley, Spring 2016

 Arthur's Pass was the first National Park I ever visited as it is roughly 100 kms from my home in Christchurch. We often visited the park as a family, the first time I ever came here was when I was about nine years old in the late 1970's. When I was at school this was a common location for school camps, often using the passenger rail link as a means to get to the park.

 

The Arthur's Pass sign at the train station in the village.

 A little bit about me: Jon Moake

I am a tramper (that's hiker/rambler to those from the US/UK) in my 50's, and I live in Christchurch, on the South Island of New Zealand.

Spenser Mountains, Lewis Pass SR, from the Lewis Pass Tops

I have been visiting the forests and mountains for many years, with particular attention to the parks and forests close to Christchurch, my home town. My tramping trips range from one day right through to longer periods up to a week.

One of our iconic mountain huts, East Hawdon Bivy, Arthur's Pass NP

In 2012, after an extended break from tramping I decided to get into the outdoors again. This blog will be a record of my experiences specifically in Arthur's Pass National Park. 

I have tramped extensively throughout both the North and South Island, from the Central Plateau volcanoes of the North Island, and South to Fiordland.

Torrent Bay, tramping the Abel Tasman Great Walk in Sep. 2017

My main stamping grounds include Arthur's Pass National Park, the Canterbury Foothills, Lake Sumner Forest Park,  Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve all around an hours drive from my home.
I also enjoy tramping on the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula which are right on my doorstep.

Further afield I love exploring Fiordland, Nelson Lakes NP and the Abel Tasman NP.

Lyttleton Harbour and Canterbury from high on Banks Peninsula

It is my intention to eventually tramp all of the short & long walking/tramping tracks in the Arthur's Pass area....so lets get started!!!