Castle Hill in June?
26 May 2010 - 1:13pm
Hi guys,
I'm sorry if this is a well travelled topic...I tried searching, but I guess I'm looking for a more personal answer...?
I'll be in NZ for the whole of June, based in Hunterville, but I'm really keen on getting down to Castle Hill for some bouldering!
I know this time is winter for you guys, so will it be snowed out? I've heard its climbable at this time but I've also been told not to bother as it'll be covered in snow...I'm from Ireland so well able for bouldering in the cold, but I'm just wondering if you guys reckon its worth it to make the journey down there?
And what the best plan of attack would be? Stay in Christchurch and hitch out, or I heard there's a hostel esque thing near the boulders?
Any help would be massively appreciated!
Also if there's anyone out there at the moment it would be great to hook up and do some climbing as I'll be out there by myself.
Thanks in advance! I'm really psyched to get some NZ climbing done!
Leo
3 June 2010 - 5:46am
#3
No worries.
Yeh we won't be there til the 23rd at the earliest, so it looks like we'll miss you. Have fun, it's an amazing place...
3 June 2010 - 12:46pm
#4
It sure is...Please wipe your shoes before climbing (at any time but esp during the winter), and remember to pick up your tape and bog paper! Enjoy the greasy classics.
5 June 2010 - 5:19pm
#5
This website based in the village shows detailed weather and cams for the area
12 June 2010 - 11:46pm
#7
My sole experience without a car: Hitching from Christchurch in summer-one and a half hours of waiting outside Yaldhurst and Springfield, and five minutes back (thanks to some mountaineering Brits from the Christchurch Uni Alpine Club!).
Hitching in winter might be a little bit more of a challenge as Castle Hill basin sits between two mountain passes that might be closed in cold weather, Arthur's and Porter's. If you stay in Springfield you'd have to get up and down Porter's everyday. There should be a few skiers/boulderers/alpinists kicking about near the basin in winter though...maybe?
By my google-maps guided guess Castle Hill village is only about 2km from the boulders, quite walkable and very bike-able. Accomodation in the village might be a bit more expensive though
13 June 2010 - 9:00am
#8
The nearest shop is in Springfield. And the nearest pub,cafe.... the village is really just a holiday homes place though you may find some sort of place taking travellers check http://www.castlehill.net.nz/ for latest weather etc
22 June 2010 - 1:18am
#10
Glad to hear it, I can't wait...
Hey Leo,
Castle Hill should be climbable in June; I'm counting on it, I'll be flying over from Aus in late June.
The guidebook reckons it's climbable with 'excellent friction' in winter. I was there in July a couple of years ago, with a light dusting of snow on the ground but dry rock. It's at about 800-900m ASL, snowfalls are rarely deep or long-lived.
http://www.softrock.co.nz/mg/index.php gives regular weather updates for nearby Arthur's Pass.
You can stay cheaply at Craigieburn campground (17km away) if you are up for winter camping, otherwise go for a chalet at Castle Hill Village (very close), a backpackers at Flock Hill Lodge (15mins away), or a hotel etc. at Springfield (30mins away).
If you're going to be there for a while, I'd suggest buying the Castle Hill guide by Matt Pierson and Alan Davison, it's a wicked good book. The NZ Alpine Club sells it for something like $40 NZ.
I'll be there with a couple of mates late June - July (apart from a couple of diversions down south). The more the merrier if you care to meet up at Castle Hill sometime.
- Luke