Eric Skea and Scott Sutherland are leading a trip on the weekend of 3/4 July (backup weekend 10/11 July).
Plan A is to attempt Faerie Queene in the Spencer Mountains, via Camera Gully. Leave Christchurch after work on Friday, and walk in to Cannibal Gorge Hut for the night. Saturday night bivi high. Sunday morning will be a good honest alpine start, attempt Faerie Queene via the southwest ridge, descend/walk out and drive back to Christchurch (this may be a very long day). As this route is best with some snow but also requires good conditions on most aspects, we have a Plan B.
Plan B is The Marquee in the Arrowsmith Range, via the southwest ridge. We would leave Christchurch on Saturday morning, and walk into Cameron Hut. Sunday will be an alpine start, summit attempt, walk out and drive back to Christchurch. This would also be a long day.
Both options require avalanche kit. Limited to 10 people total. Be prepared for camping on snow (including for the Cameron Hut option), a >12 hour day on summit day, and some travel at night. Participants should be comfortable soloing on moderate snow, with some steeper sections, and exposed sections of ridge travel (i.e. the harder end of grade 1). Running/approach shoes and separate socks are recommended for the approach, to keep your boots dry for summit day. Trip leaders will keep an eye on conditions and get in touch with the group in the week prior to the trip regarding the plan.
To sign up email [email protected]