Avalanche Peak | Albert Nisbet

Avalanche Peak is an amazingly accessible mountain about two hours’ drive from Christchurch. There are two routes to access the summit: Avalanche Peak Track and Scotts Track. We ascended on Avalanche Peak Track and saved the more gentle Scotts Track for the descent. Both tracks are steep but well-marked and quite manageable.

If you’re tackling this trip, make sure to bring plenty of water and keep an ear out for kea.

Catching a breath on the climb to the summit. Bealey River is visible at the base of the valley.

The two tracks meet just shy of the peak. This final section is a rocky ridge with stunning views all around.

Dramatic vista from the summit. A hiker can be seen admiring the view. Far below, the highway winds up towards Arthur's Pass proper.

As we left the ridge and commenced our descent, I was distracted by a roving gang of young kea that landed nearby. Now I think of it, maybe they were the ones being distracted by me. It’s always hard to tell with these intelligent creatures.

Curious juvenile kea that got dangerously close to my camera

Water break on the cloudy descent. Devils Punchbowl Falls are just visible on the other side of the valley.