2022 Mountain Log:
Mountain Personal:
______________________________________
03/08/2022 and 04/08/2022.
Windy, Occasional Cloud, but Fine.
Steffan Rolfe, Richard Pettinger, Amit Myint, Ivan Mason, Gayle Somerville,
Alan Carstens, Nina Carstens, Flynn Jackson, Jonathan Molloy, Phil Sideaway,
Rodger Clarkson, Allan Cox, Sharen Rutherford, Sue Williams.
Old Man Range, Roxburgh, Central Otago.
Snow Caving Trip on the Old Man Range. (2 days, 1 night).
I did a snow caving trip with the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering
Club up on to the Old Man Range above Roxburgh in Central Otago. We met at a café
in Roxburgh, before driving up the Waikaia Bush Road as far up as we could
safely go. From there we walked up toward a rock biv, and then on further to a
little snow basin which held enough snow to dig out a few snow caves. We dug
out three in total to shelter 14 people for the night. I worked on a small cave
with two others. We spent the night sleeping in the cave, before heading back
to the cars in the morning.
 |
| OTMC Snow Caving Trip 3rd of September 2022. Tussock on the Old Man Range. |
 |
| OTMC Snow Caving Trip 3rd of September 2022. Alan Shovelling Snow out of the Snow Cave. |
 |
| OTMC Snow Caving Trip 3rd of September 2022. Steffan and Roger in the Snow Cave. |
 |
| OTMC Snow Caving Trip 3rd of September 2022. Fog swallowing up our Snow Cave Sites. |
 |
| OTMC Snow Caving Trip 4th of September 2022. The Entrance Tunnel of our little Snow Cave. |
 |
| OTMC Snow Caving Trip 4th of September 2022. Passing back through the Gate on the Waikaia Bush Road. |
_______________________________________
23/07/2022 and 24/07/2022.
Fine.
Steffan Rolfe, Wayne, Joe, Sharon, Mandy, Gail, Ian, Wendal, and Rodger
Clarkson.
Big Hut – Rock and Pillar Conservation Area. (2 days, 1 night).
I went on a Winter Overnight trip with the OTMC up to Big Hut on the
Rock and Pillar Range. We hiked up the Glencreag Track to Big Hut. I gave a
little bit of instruction to one of the trip participants along the way on crampon
fitting and use. In the afternoon we strapped on Snow Shoes and headed over to
the Summit Rocks. While cooking dinner in the hut, one of the party had a
flare-up on their cooker which I quickly fixed by throwing a billy on top of
it. Looking at the cooker it looked like the o-ring had perished. The next day
we snow-shoed over toward Museum Rock before returning to the Hut. We descended
Glencreag Track back down to the Carpark. I wore crampons for the first part of
the descent down the track.
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 23rd of July 2022. The Glencreag Track through Schist Boulders on the Ridge. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 23rd of July 2022. Snowy Slopes on the Glencreag Track. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 23rd of July 2022. Wayne and Steffan. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 23rd of July 2022. Snow piled up around the entrance to Big Hut. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 23rd of July 2022. Snow Shoeing across the Rock and Pillar Range. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 23rd of July 2022. Snow and Ice covered Rock over the Wind Scoop. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 23rd of July 2022. Steffan on the Summit Rocks on the Rock and Pillar Range. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 23rd of July 2022. Looking out over the Wide Expanse of the Rock and Pillar Range. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 23rd of July 2022. Arriving back at Big Hut after a trip to the Summit Rocks. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 24th of July 2022. Hiking across the Winter covered Rock and Pillar Range. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 24th of July 2022. Steffan on the Rock and Pillar Range. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 24th of July 2022. Climbing the Ridge above March Creek on the Rock and Pillar Range. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 24th of July 2022. Schist Tor on the Rock and Pillar Range. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 24th of July 2022. Steffan leaving Big Hut to head down the Glencreag Track. |
 |
| OTMC Big Hut Trip - 24th of July 2022. The Glencreag Track overlooking Six Mile Creek. |
________________________________________
16/04/2022 and 17/04/2022.
Drizzly with High winds about the Tops, and the following day Foggy
low cloud clearing during the day.
Steffan Rolfe and Kees De Jager.
Avalanche Peak via Crow Hut – Arthurs Pass National Park. (2
days, 1 night).
A friend and I climbed Avalanche Peak over Easter via the Crow
River. We spent a night at the NZ Alpine Club in Arthurs Pass the night before,
and discussed weather and options with the local DOC staff in the morning. Due
to rain and high winds about the tops, plus the likelihood of most huts in the
area being full due to the Roar going on – we decided to reverse the normal Avalanche
Peak trip. We headed up the Waimakariri River, and then up the Crow River to
spend a night at Crow Hut. The hut was pretty full, with a family hunting party
basing themselves there. They made room for us, and we in turn made room for
another party of two that arrived with the same objectives as us. The following
day we joined up with the other party to reduce the risk of throwing rocks down
at each other on the scree slide, and climbed the scree slope to the Crow
Ridgeline. We then followed the ridge to Avalanche Peak, and descended down to
the village via Scotts Track.
 |
| Avalanche Peak - 16th of April 2022. Steffan on the Waimakariri River Bed. |
 |
| Avalanche Peak - 16th of April 2022. Approaching the Crow Valley. |
 |
| Avalanche Peak - 16th of April 2022. Steffan crossing the Crow River. |
 |
| Avalanche Peak - 16th of April 2022. Steffan crossing the Crow River. |
 |
| Avalanche Peak - 16th of April 2022. Kees down in the Crow River Bed. |
 |
| Avalanche Peak - 16th of April 2022. Crow Hut. |
 |
| Avalanche Peak - 17th of April 2022. Sidling around the Rocky Outcrop. |
 | |
|
 | |
|
 | |
|
 | |
|
 | |
|
2021 Mountain Log:
Mountain Personal:
18/10/2021.
Fine, with strong winds about the tops.
Steffan Rolfe, and Dallas Mangan.
Mt Hutt Skifield – Canterbury. (4 hours).
I
went skiing with a friend at Mt Hutt Skifield. He won tickets from the Rock FM
for Lift Passes, Rentals, Petrol Vouchers, and a meal at the Blue Pub
afterwards. We arrived around 9am and skiing (and boarded) fairly consistently
through to about 1pm, and explored a good chunk of the blue runs across the mountain.
The Summit Six was closed off and on during the day due to high winds. |
| Mt Hutt Skifield - 8th of October 2021. Bottom of the Mountain beside the Summit Six. |
 |
| Mt Hutt Skifield - 8th of October 2021. Dallas at Mt Hutt Skifield. |
 |
| Mt Hutt Skifield - 8th of October 2021. Dallas getting some Air. |
______________________
18/09/2021.
Overcast, with Cloud lowering during the morning, and snowing by
lunch-time.
Steffan Rolfe and Dallas Mangan.
Porters Skifield – Craigeburn Range, Canterbury. (4 hours).
I spent a morning skiing a Porters Skifield with a friend (first day
skiing in two years). We started off with a couple of laps on the main run,
then started exploring the runs coming off the T-Bars. We went down the Stella
Bowl Cattrack, then over to the next T-bar and come down what was labelled as a
black run. After a few more laps down the main run under the Easy Rider Chair,
we had some lunch at about 1pm, and then called it a day at about 2pm. After
our T-bar runs, the mountain had started to clag in, and by 1pm it had started
snowing lightly. We decided to head off the mountain before the snow started
settling on the access road.
 |
| Porters Skifield - 18th of September 2021. End of the Craigeburns and start of the Torlesse Range from the top of Easy Street. |
 |
| Porters Skifield - 18th of September 2021. Riding the Easyrider Chair. |
2019 Mountain Log
Mountain Personal:
19/08/19 to 23/08/19.
I attended an NZSIA Ski Instructor Level One Course at Coronet Peak
Skifield. The course covered NZSIA techniques and mechanics; NZSIA progression
for from first time skiers to advanced wedge turns; Basic Teaching Methodology;
and personal skiing skills and Fundamental Skill Demonstrations.
NZSIA Ski Level One - August 2019.
VAK Teaching Session on the Kaiser Carpet Area.
NZSIA Ski Level One - August 2019.
Top of Coronet Express.
__________________________________________
15/08/19.
I spent a morning skiing at Coronet Peak with a couple of friends.
We skied across the mountain, and my friends took me down Hurdle and Lower
Exchange.
__________________________________________
30/07/19.
I spent a morning skiing on Coronet Peak in somewhat icy conditions.
I stuck to M1 and Meadows. It started snowing late morning, so I got a few more
runs in, and then bailed out off the hill.
____________________________________________
18/07/19.
_______________________________________________
17/07/19.
I did a contract day working for Queenstown Snow Transport. I picked
up my guests from the St. Moritz Hotel and drove them up the Remarkables. I skied
Curvey, Sugar, and Shadow Basins until my guests were ready to head down.
__________________________________________________
19/08/19 to 23/08/19.
New Zealand Snow Instructors Association.
Overcast, Snowing, Fine for the last three days.
Steffan Rolfe, Sam Stafford Bush, Alice Price, Maud Weigl, Bill Otto, Michaela,
and two others.
Coronet Peak Skifield. (5 days).
I attended an NZSIA Ski Instructor Level One Course at Coronet Peak
Skifield. The course covered NZSIA techniques and mechanics; NZSIA progression
for from first time skiers to advanced wedge turns; Basic Teaching Methodology;
and personal skiing skills and Fundamental Skill Demonstrations.
 |
| NZSIA Ski Level One - August 2019. VAK Teaching Session on the Kaiser Carpet Area. |
 |
| NZSIA Ski Level One - August 2019. Top of Coronet Express. |
__________________________________________
15/08/19.
Fine.
Steffan Rolfe, Seb Thomas, and David Baker.
Coronet Peak Skifield. (5 hours).
I spent a morning skiing at Coronet Peak with a couple of friends.
We skied across the mountain, and my friends took me down Hurdle and Lower
Exchange.
__________________________________________
30/07/19.
Steffan Rolfe.
Coronet Peak Skifield. (3 hours).
I spent a morning skiing on Coronet Peak in somewhat icy conditions.
I stuck to M1 and Meadows. It started snowing late morning, so I got a few more
runs in, and then bailed out off the hill.
18/07/19.
Queenstown Snow Transport.
Steffan Rolfe and 10 Guests from Australia.
Cardrona Skifield. (8 hours).
I did another contract day working for Queenstown Snow Transport. I picked
up my guests, and drove them to Cardrona, ensuring they were setup for the day.
I spent the day exploring around the skifield, and caught up with one of my
mates in Trail Safety.
17/07/19.
Queenstown Snow Transport.
Steffan Rolfe, and 7 Guests.
Remarkables Skifield – Rastus Burn Conservation Area. (6 hours).
I did a contract day working for Queenstown Snow Transport. I picked up my guests from the St. Moritz Hotel and drove them up the Remarkables. I skied Curvey, Sugar, and Shadow Basins until my guests were ready to head down.
I did a contract day working for Queenstown Snow Transport. I picked up my guests from the St. Moritz Hotel and drove them up the Remarkables. I skied Curvey, Sugar, and Shadow Basins until my guests were ready to head down.
 |
| Winter Skiing 2019 - 25th of June 2019 Hanging out on Alta Chair |
2018 Mountain Log
Mountain Personal:
05/09/18.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Cardrona Skifield. (5 hours).
I did a day skiing at Cardrona. Spent the day exploring the Blue runs off McDougalls Chondola, Whitestar Express, Valley View and Captains Express. I also sidled around to Gin and Raspberry from the top of Captains.
I did a day skiing at Cardrona. Spent the day exploring the Blue runs off McDougalls Chondola, Whitestar Express, Valley View and Captains Express. I also sidled around to Gin and Raspberry from the top of Captains.
 |
| Cardrona Ski Day - 5th of September 2018 Approaching the Base Building at Cardrona. |
 |
| Cardrona Ski Day - 5th of September 2018 Captains Express |
 |
| Cardrona Ski Day - 5th of September 2018 Gunshot and Last Shot Bowl |
_____________________________________
22/08/16.
Steffan Rolfe.
Light Patchy Rain and Clouds.
Coronet Peak Skifield. (3
hours).
I went up Coronet Peak Skifield for a night ski session. I started off on Greengates while Coronet Express was being groomed – I did three runs off Greengates. Then I headed over to Coronet Express when Greengates was closed – I did 3 runs off Coronet Express, then had a beer down at the CafĂ©. I then did another 4 runs off Coronet Express, and then had dinner and headed home.
I went up Coronet Peak Skifield for a night ski session. I started off on Greengates while Coronet Express was being groomed – I did three runs off Greengates. Then I headed over to Coronet Express when Greengates was closed – I did 3 runs off Coronet Express, then had a beer down at the CafĂ©. I then did another 4 runs off Coronet Express, and then had dinner and headed home.
 |
| Coronet Night Ski - 22nd of August 2018 Night Ski at Coronet Peak. |
__________________________________
15/08/18.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Remarkables Skifield – Rastus Burn Conservation Area. (3 hours).
I went for a morning skiing at the Remarkables on a bluebird day after a light snowfall the previous day. I arranged a private lesson, and got the instructor to introduce me to the Homeward Bound Black run. After that I did a couple of runs off Curvey Chair, Sugarbowl, and Shadow Basin.
I went for a morning skiing at the Remarkables on a bluebird day after a light snowfall the previous day. I arranged a private lesson, and got the instructor to introduce me to the Homeward Bound Black run. After that I did a couple of runs off Curvey Chair, Sugarbowl, and Shadow Basin.
06/08/18.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Coronet Peak Skifield. (2
hours).
I did a couple of hours skiing at
Coronet Peak. I did a few runs off Coronet Express, and then a few runs off
Greengates.
 |
| Coronet Ski Day - 6th of August 2018 Top of Coronet. |
____________________________________________
24/07/18.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Coronet Peak Skifield. (5
hours).
I went skiing at Coronet Peak for a days skiing. I skied several runs off Coronet Express, then Greengates, and then across to the Rocky Gully T-Bar. In the afternoon I did a level four group lesson where we worked on leaning downslope, and pole planting.
I went skiing at Coronet Peak for a days skiing. I skied several runs off Coronet Express, then Greengates, and then across to the Rocky Gully T-Bar. In the afternoon I did a level four group lesson where we worked on leaning downslope, and pole planting.
18/07/18.
Steffan Rolfe, Lizzie Watts.
Fine.
Coronet Peak Skifield. (5 hours).
I went skiing at Coronet Peak
with my flatmate. We mostly skied intermediate runs off Greengates, before we
headed over to Heidi’s Hut and finished the day on the T-Bar at Rocky Gully,
and then back to the Base Building before skiing down to the side of carpark
two beside Greengates.
 |
| Coronet Ski Day - 18th of July 2018. View over the Richardson Mountains from Coronet Peak. |
______________________________________
11/07/18.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Remarkables Skifield – Rastus Burn Conservation Area. (2 hours).
I went skiing at the Remarkables
Skifield in the morning. I did a few warm-up laps on Curvey and then started
dropping off the side of Curvey until I wiped out in a big patch of powder. I
then went up the Sugar Bowl for a couple of runs. I left the mountain just as
it was starting to snow.
 |
| Remarkables Ski Day - 11th of July 2018 Remarkables during School Holidays. |
________________________________________________
22/06/18.
Steffan Rolfe, Lizzie Watts, Sean Braithwaite.
Fine.
Remarkables Skifield – Rastus Burn Conservation Area. (3 hours).
I went skiing on the Remarkables
with my flatmates. We spent most of the time lapping Curvey. In the afternoon I
did a group lesson – level 4. We practiced jumps, jump turns, and turning on
high points.
 |
| Remarkables Ski Day - 22nd of June 2018 Lizzie skiing down from Curvey. |
03/06/18.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Grade 1.
Ben Lomond Walkway. (5 hours).
I did an afternoon climb up Ben
Lomond. I took the Gondola up to the Skyline Complex, and started on the
walkway from there. I donned crampons just pas the bushline, and used an ice
axe up to the summit and down.
 |
| Ben Lomond - June 2018. Icy Ben Lomond Track. |
 |
| Ben Lomond - June 2018. Sidling the Snowy Track. |
 |
| Ben Lomond - June 2018. The Sweeping line of the Summit from the Saddle. |
 |
| Ben Lomond - June 2018. Descending from Ben Lomond. |
 |
| Ben Lomond - June 2018. Descending from the Saddle. |
 |
| Ben Lomond - June 2018. Ben Lomond DOC Sign. |
 |
| Ben Lomond - June 2018. Steffan on the Ben Lomond Summit |
02/06/18.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Coronet Peak Skifield. (2
hours).
I went skiing at Coronet Peak on the pre-season teaser day. I got 3 runs in on the Coronet Express, and a couple of runs from the Meadow Chair Lift.
I went skiing at Coronet Peak on the pre-season teaser day. I got 3 runs in on the Coronet Express, and a couple of runs from the Meadow Chair Lift.
_____________________________________________
12/05/18.
Steffan Rolfe, and Duncan Edwards.
Fine.
Wye Creek Route, Rastus Burn Conservation Area. (9 hours).
I organized a trip over Wye
Saddle, from the Remarkables Skifield Carpark. We setup a carpark shuttle prior
to setting out. Just above Lake Alta we encountered snow and had to cut steps
in order to descend into the Upper Wye Basin from the Saddle. The route from
the outlet stream down to the climbing wall was difficult to locate, and was
essentially a tussock bash.
 |
| Wye Creek - May 2018. Double Cone and Single Cone from Alta Blue. |
 |
| Wye Creek - May 2018. Climbing up to Wye Saddle above Lake Alta. |
 |
| Wye Creek - May 2018. Alpine Tarns in the Wye Basin. |
 |
| Wye Creek - May 2018. Tarn in Wye Basin and Double Cone. |
 |
| Wye Creek - May 2018. Tussocks down through the Wye Valley. |
 |
| Wye Creek - May 2018. Wye Creek descending toward Lake Wakatipu. |
 |
| Wye Creek - May 2018. Track through the Silver Beech. |
 |
| Wye Creek - May 2018. Lake Wakatipu and Cecil Peak. |
________________________
2017 Mountain Log
Mountain Personal:
21/09/17.
I headed to the Remarkables
Skifield for a few hours skiing. I started on Curvey Chair for a few warmup
runs, then did a few off-piste runs off the side. I then headed over to Shadow
Basin for a couple of runs, and finished up with a few runs down Sugar Bowl.
_______________________________________
14/09/17.
11/09/17.
I went up Coronet Peak
for a couple of hours in the afternoon after work. I ran into a friend up there
after doing a couple of warm-up laps on M1. Then we skied a few intermediate
runs off Greengates, and then did a couple of off-piste runs – after that I
skied my first black run (Walk About).
_____________________________________________
07/09/17.
I went up the
Remarkables for a couple of hours skiing. After doing a couple of warm up laps
off Curvey Chair, I went over to Sugar Bowl and skied the blue runs coming off
Casterway. Great couple of hours on the mountain.
_______________________________________________
31/08/17.
I did a half day skiing at the
Remarkables Skifield. I mostly stuck to the main runs off Curvey Chair due to
very limited visibility. There were a couple of patches where the visibility
improved, and I dropped off the sides of Curvey, and did a run down Casterway
and Fall Line in Sugar Bowl.
___________________________________________________
23/08/17.
I went skiing at the Remarkables
Skifield. I spent the day exploring runs off-piste from the Curvey Chair runs.
I also explored the Gully runs beside Alta and below the Sugarbowl Chair, as
well as doing Alta Blue a couple of times.
_____________________________________
28/07/17.
I went skiing at Coronet Peak for
the first time this season with a friend. We started skiing from the Coronet
Express, and then moved across to the Greengates Chairlift.
20/07/17.
I went skiing at the Remarkables
Skifield for an afternoon with a couple of friends. We spent the afternoon
doing laps off Curvey Chair, with a couple of runs down the Gully
__________________________________________
23/06/17.
Went skiing on the Remarkables
Skifield on an afternoon. First day of the season for me. Spent most of it
doing laps off Curvey Chair, but had a quick look at Sugar Basin, and Alta
Chair. Also had a look at a snowpack analysis Seb (ops manager from NZ
Snowshoe) was doing beside the top of Curvey Chair.
Remarkables Ski Day - June 2017
Looking down the Skifield
_____________________________________________
19/02/17.
I went on a heli-hike with Alpine
Guides Ltd on the Lower Ice of the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mount Cook National
Park. I was with a slow moving Chinese group, so there was plenty of time for
photos, and I got the chance to assist the guide with placing an Ice Screw for
a handline which was used to assist the group to descend into a moulin with an
ice cave it in.
Alpine Guides Helihike
February 2017
Fold in the Ice with De La Beche Ridge
in the background
Alpine Guides Helihike
February 2017
Descending to a small ice cave
Alpine Guides Helihike
February 2017
Haast Glacier, Haast Ridge,
and Aoraki Mount Cook
Alpine Guides Helihike
February 2017
Handline into the Hole
________________________________________________
04/02/17 to 05/02/17.
21/09/17.
Steffan Rolfe.
Cloudy, Light Winds.
Remarkables Skifield – Rastus Burn Conservation Area. (3 hours).
I headed to the Remarkables Skifield for a few hours skiing. I started on Curvey Chair for a few warmup runs, then did a few off-piste runs off the side. I then headed over to Shadow Basin for a couple of runs, and finished up with a few runs down Sugar Bowl.
I headed to the Remarkables Skifield for a few hours skiing. I started on Curvey Chair for a few warmup runs, then did a few off-piste runs off the side. I then headed over to Shadow Basin for a couple of runs, and finished up with a few runs down Sugar Bowl.
_______________________________________
14/09/17.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Coronet Peak Skifield. (4
hours).
I headed up to Coronet Peak for
the afternoon. I started on Greengates, then skied most of the blue runs off
Coronet Express. After that I headed over to Rocky Gully and finally finished
up back at Greengates.
_________________________________________
11/09/17.
Steffan Rolfe, Travis Donaghue.
Patchy Low Cloud.
Coronet Peak Skifield. (2
hours).
I went up Coronet Peak for a couple of hours in the afternoon after work. I ran into a friend up there after doing a couple of warm-up laps on M1. Then we skied a few intermediate runs off Greengates, and then did a couple of off-piste runs – after that I skied my first black run (Walk About).
_____________________________________________I went up Coronet Peak for a couple of hours in the afternoon after work. I ran into a friend up there after doing a couple of warm-up laps on M1. Then we skied a few intermediate runs off Greengates, and then did a couple of off-piste runs – after that I skied my first black run (Walk About).
07/09/17.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Remarkables Skifield – Rastus Burn Conservation Area. (2 hours).
I went up the Remarkables for a couple of hours skiing. After doing a couple of warm up laps off Curvey Chair, I went over to Sugar Bowl and skied the blue runs coming off Casterway. Great couple of hours on the mountain.
_______________________________________________I went up the Remarkables for a couple of hours skiing. After doing a couple of warm up laps off Curvey Chair, I went over to Sugar Bowl and skied the blue runs coming off Casterway. Great couple of hours on the mountain.
31/08/17.
Steffan Rolfe.
Low Cloud, Poor Visibility.
Remarkables Skifield – Rastus Burn Conservation Area. (3 hours).
I did a half day skiing at the Remarkables Skifield. I mostly stuck to the main runs off Curvey Chair due to very limited visibility. There were a couple of patches where the visibility improved, and I dropped off the sides of Curvey, and did a run down Casterway and Fall Line in Sugar Bowl.
___________________________________________________I did a half day skiing at the Remarkables Skifield. I mostly stuck to the main runs off Curvey Chair due to very limited visibility. There were a couple of patches where the visibility improved, and I dropped off the sides of Curvey, and did a run down Casterway and Fall Line in Sugar Bowl.
23/08/17.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Remarkables Skifield – Rastus Burn Conservation Area. (4 hours).
I went skiing at the Remarkables Skifield. I spent the day exploring runs off-piste from the Curvey Chair runs. I also explored the Gully runs beside Alta and below the Sugarbowl Chair, as well as doing Alta Blue a couple of times.
I went skiing at the Remarkables Skifield. I spent the day exploring runs off-piste from the Curvey Chair runs. I also explored the Gully runs beside Alta and below the Sugarbowl Chair, as well as doing Alta Blue a couple of times.
_____________________________________
28/07/17.
Steffan Rolfe, Tim Bloomesaat.
Fine.
Coronet Peak Skifield. (4
hours).
I went skiing at Coronet Peak for
the first time this season with a friend. We started skiing from the Coronet
Express, and then moved across to the Greengates Chairlift.
_________________________________________
20/07/17.
Steffan Rolfe, Janina Berger, Tom Allatt.
Fine.
Remarkables Skifield – Rastus Burn Conservation Area. (4 hours).
I went skiing at the Remarkables
Skifield for an afternoon with a couple of friends. We spent the afternoon
doing laps off Curvey Chair, with a couple of runs down the Gully
__________________________________________
23/06/17.
Steffan Rolfe.
Overcast with low visibility.
Remarkables Skifield – Rastus Burn Conservation Area. (4 hours).
Went skiing on the Remarkables
Skifield on an afternoon. First day of the season for me. Spent most of it
doing laps off Curvey Chair, but had a quick look at Sugar Basin, and Alta
Chair. Also had a look at a snowpack analysis Seb (ops manager from NZ
Snowshoe) was doing beside the top of Curvey Chair.
 |
| Remarkables Ski Day - June 2017 Looking down the Skifield |
_____________________________________________
19/02/17.
Alpine Guides Ltd.
Anna (Guide), Steffan Rolfe, and 4 Chinese customers.
Fine, with wind and cloud increasing about the divde.
Lower Tasman Glacier, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. (3 hours).
I went on a heli-hike with Alpine
Guides Ltd on the Lower Ice of the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mount Cook National
Park. I was with a slow moving Chinese group, so there was plenty of time for
photos, and I got the chance to assist the guide with placing an Ice Screw for
a handline which was used to assist the group to descend into a moulin with an
ice cave it in.
 |
| Alpine Guides Helihike February 2017 Fold in the Ice with De La Beche Ridge in the background |
 |
| Alpine Guides Helihike February 2017 Descending to a small ice cave |
 |
| Alpine Guides Helihike February 2017 Haast Glacier, Haast Ridge, and Aoraki Mount Cook |
 |
| Alpine Guides Helihike February 2017 Handline into the Hole |
________________________________________________
04/02/17 to 05/02/17.
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Lee getting setup for photographing the Choppe |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Linda Glacier |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Cloud lifting over Mt Cook |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Crevasses in the Icefall |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Steffan and the Hochstetter Icefall |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Steffan with Mt Dixon in the Background |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Mt Dixon and the Grand Plateau |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Hochstetter Icefall |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Lee Cook on the side of Glacier Dome |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Steffan with the Tasman Glacier Lake & Lake Pukaki in the background |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Plateau Hut and the Hochstetter Icefall |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Sunset over Aoraki |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Sunset over the Glacier Lake |
 |
| Plateau Hut & Glacier Dome February 2017 Glacier Dome |
______________________
2016 Mountain Log
Mountain Personal:
11/09/16.
I did a day trip to Mt Dobson for
an afternoon’s kiing. I started off with a lesson based on the slopes off the
T-bar, and then spent the rest of the afternoon on the blue runs around the
Chairlift.
Mt Dobson Ski Trip
Riding the Chair on Dobson
__________________________________________________________
28/08/16.
Ohau Ski Trip
Wind and Cloud rolling in over the tops
__________________________________________
13/08/16.
Round Hill Ski Trip - Looking down the main T-Bar to Lake Tekapo.
___________________________________________
07/08/16.
Alpine Guides Ski the Tasman Trip -
Flying Past Aoraki
Alpine Guides Ski the Tasman Trip -
Skiing through the Crevasse Gully
Alpine Guides Ski the Tasman Trip -
Sam, Sue, and Ben
Alpine Guides Ski the Tasman Trip -
Steffan and Ben below Kelman Hut
__________________________________________________
06/08/16.
Round Hill Ski Trip - Powder Day at Round Hill
____________________________________________
09/04/16 to 10/04/16.
We did an overnight tramp/climb
over Ball Pass in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. We started at the Whitehorse
Hill Campground, walked up the Hooker Valley Track, and up to the Old East
Hooker campsite. Then we climbed up to Ball Pass via the Playing Fields. We
then overnighted just below Ball Pass, and descended the Ball Ridge to the
Tasman Valley. We then followed the Ball Hut track down to the Blue Lakes
Carpark. It was a cold bivvy overnight below the pass, however it was one of
the best overnight tramps that I’ve done.
Ball Pass - April 2016
Wandering along the Hooker Morraine Wall
Ball Pass - April 2016
Aoraki Mount Cook
and the Ball Glacier
Ball Pass - April 2016
Mt Mabel above the East Hooker Campsite
Ball Pass - April 2016
La Perouse, The Hooker Glacier, and
Aoraki Mount Cook
Ball Pass - April 2016
Neil and Steffan on Ball Pass
Ball Pass - April 2016
Ball Pass and Aoraki Mount Cook
Ball Pass - April 2016
Campsite in the morning
Ball Pass - April 2016
Tasman Glacier Lake
Ball Pass - April 2016
Descending to Caroline Hut
Ball Pass - April 2016
First Sight of Ball Hut
Ball Pass - April 2016
Icefalls on the Caroline Face
of Mount Cook
Ball Pass - April 2016
Descending Ball Ridge
toward the Tasman Glacier
____________________________________________________
31/01/16 to 01/02/16.
I did an overnight tramp up to
Sefton Biv at the end of January. I started at the Whitehorse Campground,
followed the Hooker Valley Track to Stocking Stream, then along the Stream and
up the ground trail up the Spur to the Biv. I overnighted there, and then
returned the same way the following day.
Sefton Biv - January 2016
Stocking Stream
Sefton Biv - January 2016
Tewaewae Glacier
Sefton Biv - January 2016
Sefton Biv
Sefton Biv - January 2016
Bivvy Rock Site
Sefton Biv - January 2016
Tewaewae Glacier
Sefton Biv - January 2016
Mueller Glacier Lake
Sefton Biv - January 2016
Looking down toward Lake Pukaki
Sefton Biv - January 2016
Sunset over the Southern Alps
Sefton Biv - January 2016
Mueller Glacier Lake
________________________________________________________
10/01/16.
Fine, Light Winds.
Mt Sebastopol - Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park (3 hours).
I climbed up to the summit of Sebastopol in an afternoon. I started on the Red Tarns Track, then headed up the scree slope above the Red Tarns to the plateau on the shoulder of the mountain. I then scrambled up a rocky gut, on to the ridge and to the summit..
Mt Sebastopol - January 2016
Top of Mt Sebastopol
Mt Sebastopol - January 2016
Mt Kitchener
Mt Sebastopol - January 2016
Native Sundew
Mt Sebastopol - January 2016
Summit Cairn of Sebastopol and Mt Blackburn in the background
Mt Sebastopol - January 2016
Tarns above Sebastopol Bluffs
11/09/16.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Mt Dobson Skifield – Two Thumbs Range. (4 hours).
I did a day trip to Mt Dobson for
an afternoon’s kiing. I started off with a lesson based on the slopes off the
T-bar, and then spent the rest of the afternoon on the blue runs around the
Chairlift.
 |
| Mt Dobson Ski Trip Riding the Chair on Dobson |
__________________________________________________________
28/08/16.
Steffan Rolfe, Tom Allatt, Janet Wang.
Light Rain/Snow and increasing wind.
Ohau Skifield – Lake Ohau. (5
hours).
I did a day trip to Ohau Skifield
with a guy from Mt Cook Village. We met a girl from Queenstown up at the field.
It was quite a windy day with a lot of spin-drift getting blown around. I got
another private lesson working on my turns on steeper terrain.
 |
| Ohau Ski Trip Wind and Cloud rolling in over the tops |
13/08/16.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine, with cloud building throughout the day.
Round Hill Skifield – Tekapo. (4
hours).
I went to Roundhill for a half
day skiing. I also arranged a private lesson – working on my turns in general,
as well as carve turns and pole plants. |
| Round Hill Ski Trip - Looking down the main T-Bar to Lake Tekapo. |
___________________________________________
07/08/16.
Steffan Rolfe, Ben and Sue, and Sam (AGL Guide).
Fine.
Tasman Glacier, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. (1 day).
I did the ‘Ski the Tasman’ trip
with Alpine Guides Ltd on the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
There were 3 clients and out guide Sam. Two awesome runs of approximately 7kms
down New Zealands largest glacier, with a couple of flights using a Skiplane.
This was my first time wearing Fat Skis.
 |
| Alpine Guides Ski the Tasman Trip - Flying Past Aoraki |
 |
| Alpine Guides Ski the Tasman Trip - Skiing through the Crevasse Gully |
 |
| Alpine Guides Ski the Tasman Trip - Sam, Sue, and Ben |
 |
| Alpine Guides Ski the Tasman Trip - Steffan and Ben below Kelman Hut |
06/08/16.
Steffan Rolfe, Gerard Lemon.
Light snow at first, clearing throughout the day.
Round Hill Skifield – Tekapo. (5
hours).
I went skiing at Roundhill with
another guy from Mt Cook Village. The day started off with light snow, and we
were skiing in knee deep powder. I had a one hour lesson working on my turns,
and learning how to ski in powder (as I’d never skied in powder before).
 |
| Round Hill Ski Trip - Powder Day at Round Hill |
____________________________________________
09/04/16 to 10/04/16.
Steffan Rolfe, Neil Smith, Tom Witt.
Fine.
Ball Pass – Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. (2 days).
We did an overnight tramp/climb over Ball Pass in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. We started at the Whitehorse Hill Campground, walked up the Hooker Valley Track, and up to the Old East Hooker campsite. Then we climbed up to Ball Pass via the Playing Fields. We then overnighted just below Ball Pass, and descended the Ball Ridge to the Tasman Valley. We then followed the Ball Hut track down to the Blue Lakes Carpark. It was a cold bivvy overnight below the pass, however it was one of the best overnight tramps that I’ve done.
We did an overnight tramp/climb over Ball Pass in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. We started at the Whitehorse Hill Campground, walked up the Hooker Valley Track, and up to the Old East Hooker campsite. Then we climbed up to Ball Pass via the Playing Fields. We then overnighted just below Ball Pass, and descended the Ball Ridge to the Tasman Valley. We then followed the Ball Hut track down to the Blue Lakes Carpark. It was a cold bivvy overnight below the pass, however it was one of the best overnight tramps that I’ve done.
 |
| Ball Pass - April 2016 Wandering along the Hooker Morraine Wall |
 |
| Ball Pass - April 2016 Aoraki Mount Cook and the Ball Glacier |
 |
| Ball Pass - April 2016 Mt Mabel above the East Hooker Campsite |
 |
| Ball Pass - April 2016 La Perouse, The Hooker Glacier, and Aoraki Mount Cook |
 |
| Ball Pass - April 2016 Neil and Steffan on Ball Pass |
 |
| Ball Pass - April 2016 Ball Pass and Aoraki Mount Cook |
 |
| Ball Pass - April 2016 Campsite in the morning |
 |
| Ball Pass - April 2016 Tasman Glacier Lake |
 |
| Ball Pass - April 2016 Descending to Caroline Hut |
 |
| Ball Pass - April 2016 First Sight of Ball Hut |
 |
| Ball Pass - April 2016 Icefalls on the Caroline Face of Mount Cook |
 |
| Ball Pass - April 2016 Descending Ball Ridge toward the Tasman Glacier |
____________________________________________________
31/01/16 to 01/02/16.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Sefton Biv – Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. (2 days).
I did an overnight tramp up to Sefton Biv at the end of January. I started at the Whitehorse Campground, followed the Hooker Valley Track to Stocking Stream, then along the Stream and up the ground trail up the Spur to the Biv. I overnighted there, and then returned the same way the following day.
I did an overnight tramp up to Sefton Biv at the end of January. I started at the Whitehorse Campground, followed the Hooker Valley Track to Stocking Stream, then along the Stream and up the ground trail up the Spur to the Biv. I overnighted there, and then returned the same way the following day.
 |
| Sefton Biv - January 2016 Stocking Stream |
 |
| Sefton Biv - January 2016 Tewaewae Glacier |
 |
| Sefton Biv - January 2016 Sefton Biv |
 |
| Sefton Biv - January 2016 Bivvy Rock Site |
 |
| Sefton Biv - January 2016 Tewaewae Glacier |
 |
| Sefton Biv - January 2016 Mueller Glacier Lake |
 |
| Sefton Biv - January 2016 Looking down toward Lake Pukaki |
 |
| Sefton Biv - January 2016 Sunset over the Southern Alps |
 |
| Sefton Biv - January 2016 Mueller Glacier Lake |
10/01/16.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine, Light Winds.
Fine, Light Winds.
Mt Sebastopol - Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park (3 hours).
I climbed up to the summit of Sebastopol in an afternoon. I started on the Red Tarns Track, then headed up the scree slope above the Red Tarns to the plateau on the shoulder of the mountain. I then scrambled up a rocky gut, on to the ridge and to the summit..
 |
| Mt Sebastopol - January 2016 Top of Mt Sebastopol |
 |
| Mt Sebastopol - January 2016 Mt Kitchener |
 |
| Mt Sebastopol - January 2016 Native Sundew |
 |
| Mt Sebastopol - January 2016 Summit Cairn of Sebastopol and Mt Blackburn in the background |
 |
| Mt Sebastopol - January 2016 Tarns above Sebastopol Bluffs |
______________________________________________________________________
2015 Mountain Log
Mountain Personal:
18/12/15 to 19/12/15.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine, with cloud overnight clearing in the morning.
Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier – Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. (2 days).
I did a trip up to Mueller Hut
and Mt Ollivier in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. I started at the White Horse
Hill Carpark, tramped up to Mueller Hut via Sealey Tarns. I then overnighted in
Mueller Hut, and climbed up Mt Ollivier in the morning in firm snow conditions
(with Ice Axe and Crampons).
 |
| Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier - December 2015 Rock Spires on the side of the track |
 |
| Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier - December 2015 Sealey Tarns |
 |
| Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier - December 2015 The Mueller Glacier & Barron Saddle |
 |
| Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier - December 2015 Mt Ollivier |
 |
| Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier - December 2015 Mt Sefton & the Footstool |
 |
| Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier - December 2015 Sunset over the Southern Alps |
 |
| Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier - December 2015 Crampons & Ice Axe Practise |
 |
| Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier - December 2015 Ridgeline to Mt Ollivier |
 |
| Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier - December 2015 Mueller Hut |
 |
| Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier - December 2015 Poled route over the snow |
 |
| Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier - December 2015 Rock Gully draining Sealey Tarns |
23/08/15.
Steffan Rolfe.
Fine.
Porter Heights Skifield. (1
day).
I went skiing at Porter Heights
Skifield on a beautiful, but ridiculously busy day. I started with a private
lesson, and then skied down Easy Street, the Sundance Basin, McNulty’s Basin
and Cat Track, and the Stellar Bowl Cat Track (all blue runs).
21/08/15.
Steffan Rolfe, Jess Curtis.
Overcast, with low cloud building over the range.
Croesus Track – Paparoa Range, West Coast. Blackball up to Ces Clark
Hut, over the Paparoa Range and Mt Ryall, and down to Barrytown. (1
day).
We did a Winter tramp over the
Croesus Track at the Southern end of the Paparoa Range. We walked from
Blackball to Ces Clark Hut and over Mt Ryall, and then down to Barrytown. We
struck snow upward of the Hut, along the Range, and down to the bushline on the
Barrytown side.
 |
| Croesus Track - August 2015 Jess crossing the Blackball Creek Swingbridge |
 |
| Croesus Track - August 2015 Ces Clark Hut |
 |
| Croesus Track - August 2015 Jess following the snowy track along the tops |
 |
| Croesus Track - August 2015 DOC Sign |
 |
| Croesus Track - August 2015 Traversing the side of Mt Ryall |
 |
| Croesus Track - August 2015 Nikau Palms on the Croesus Track |
18/07/15 to 19/07/15.
Steffan Rolfe, Christian Ruegg.
Light Rain turning to Snow. Fine.
East Hawdon Biv – Arthurs Pass National Park. Hawdon Shelter to the
Hawdon/East Hawdon Confluence, up to the East Hawdon Biv. (2 days).
A friend and I did an overnight
tramp in forecast snow up to the East Hawdon Biv in Arthurs Pass. We tramped
from the Hawdon Shelter up to the confluence of the Hawdon and East Hawdon in
light rain. On our way up the East Hawdon Valley the rain turned to snow which
started settling on the ground. It kept settling when we got to the Biv and
snowed approximately 20cm overnight. The following day turned out beautiful and
fine for the trip back out. |
| East Hawdon Biv - July 2015 Chris on the rocky banks of the East Hawdon |
 |
| East Hawdon Biv - July 2015 Steffan crossing the East Hawdon Stream |
 |
| East Hawdon Biv - July 2015 East Hawdon Biv |
 |
| East Hawdon Biv - July 2015 Mt Valiant at the head of the Valley |
 |
| East Hawdon Biv - July 2015 Steffan |
 |
| East Hawdon Biv - July 2015 Steffan at the end of the East Hawdon Valley |
_________________________________________________________
Mountain Training (TPP):
04/08/15 to 07/08/15.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic – Certificate in Outdoor Education.
Temple Basin Skifield – Arthurs Pass National Park.
Instructors: Keith Riley; Pete Cammell; Pete Ozich; Drew Coleman.
Students: Mac, Zach, Sean, Ryan, Steffan, Sam, Demi, James, Eigil,
Zhane, Ariel, Alex, Wade, Kit, Katrina.
Raining on the 4th; Fine on the 5th; Fine with
Snow Developing on the 6th; Snowing on the 7th.
TPP Mountain Module held at Temple Basin Skifield in Arthurs Pass
National Park (4 days).
I attended the Mountain Module
held at the Temple Basin Skifield in Arthurs Pass National Park as part of the
TPP Certificate in Outdoor Education. We started the day walking up the Temple
Basin track up to the skifield lodges in the rain. On the following day we
practiced movement on snow with ice-axe and crampons, a refresher on avalanche
transceivers, and self-arrest practice. In the afternoon we travelled up to
Bills Basin where we created snow-caves and overnighted. In the morning we
learnt how to create ‘bucket seats’ and t-slot anchors, and then practiced
pitched travel up slopes. Then we travelled back down to the lodges and it
started snowing in the afternoon and continued snowing overnight. On the last
day we had our assessment on transceiver searching, and ridge travel. We then
travelled back down to the carpark, and had a very slow trip with snow on the
road down to Otira, and then clear back to Greymouth.
 |
| Mountain Module Temple Basin - August 2015 Canterbury University Ski Club Lodge |
 |
| Mountain Module Temple Basin - August 2015 James & Pete in front of Mt Rolleston |
 |
| Mountain Module Temple Basin - August 2015 Sidling along above the Towline |
 |
| Mountain Module Temple Basin - August 2015 Bills Basin Snow Cave Scoop |
 |
| Mountain Module Temple Basin - August 2015 James & Eigill in the Snowcave |
 |
| Mountain Module Temple Basin - August 2015 Katrina |
 |
| Mountain Module Temple Basin - August 2015 View from my Belay Spot |
 |
| Mountain Module Temple Basin - August 2015 Almost at the Lodge again |
 |
| Mountain Module Temple Basin - August 2015 Descending the Temple Basin track in the snow |
 |
| Mountain Module Temple Basin - August 2015 Traffic Jam on the Arthurs Pass Highway |
21/07/15.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic – Certificate in Outdoor Education.
Temple Basin Skifield – Arthurs Pass National Park.
Instructors: Keith Riley; John and Ronan from Mt Hutt.
Students: Steffan; Hazel; Arianna; Zhane; Kate; Ryan; Eigil; Henry;
Mac; Toby; Sean.
Fine.
Avalanche Awareness Course held at Temple Basin Skifield in Arthurs
Pass National Park (1 day).
I attended an Avalanche Awareness
Course held at Temple Basin Skifield in Arthurs Pass National Park as part of
the TPP Certificate in Outdoor Education. We started the day at the Temple
Basin Skifield Carpark, and walked up the icy track to the skifield lodges.
There we had a brief theory session presented by John and Ronan. Then we did
some snowpack analysis, before doing some transceiver practise. Then I was
buried in the snow so that people could practise probing. After that we did a
probe line, and finished off the day with an avalanche rescue scenario.
 |
| Avalanche Awareness Course - July 2015 Mt Philistine from the Temple Basin Track |
 |
| Avalanche Awareness Course - July 2015 Probes marking the trench |
 |
| Avalanche Awareness Course - July 2015 Ronan demonstrating a close search |
 |
| Avalanche Awareness Course - July 2015 Probe Line |
