General Conditions & Avalanche Risk

Tuesday 18/02: (Updated 0800hrs) Heavy rain has fallen overnight, some further heavy showers are possible until afternoon today. NW gales over the tops will ease from afternoon.

Drizzle on western slopes clearing for tomorrow. Fine weather on Thursday though winds will strengthen over the tops. Rain developing on Friday with gales across tops. Showers on Saturday.

Climbing conditions are Poor today about the Main Divide with some heavy showers expected accompanied by strong NW winds over the tops .

Most ridge routes are now their "standard" summer choss! With the return of summer, non-permanent snow areas are now shrinking very rapidly.

Glacial routes in the Park have been reported back as accessible - however rope-up for glacial travel as things are starting to open, and "bell-shaped features" or thin bridging can be common! Remnant gully ice is undermined by water.

Safe climbing!

Recent Conditions Images (Scroll to view more)
  • 09/02
    Mt Scott (2009m)
  • 09/02
    Mt Wilson (2035m)
  • 08/02
    Falling Mountain (1901m)
  • 02/02
    Mt Oates (2041m)
  • 02/02
    Mt Philistine (1967m)
  • 02/02
    Mt Rolleston (2275m) - Bealey Face
  • 02/02
    Mt Rolleston (2275m) - Rome Ridge
  • 02/02
    Mt Temple (1913m)
  • 28/01
    Mt Rolleston (2275m) - Crow Face
  • 25/01
    Mt Armstrong (2110m)
  • 25/01
    Mt Franklin (2145m)
  • 25/01
    Mt Rolleston (2275m) - Otira Face
  • 25/01
    Mt Rolleston (2275m) - Otira Slide
  • 17/01
    Mt Davie (2280m)
  • 17/01
    Mt Harper (2222m)
  • 17/01
    Mt Stewart (1934m)
  • 11/01
    Blimit (1921m)
  • 11/01
    Mt Rolleston (2275m) - High Peak Access
  • 11/01
    Phipps Peak (1965m) - South Face
  • 13/12
    Lyell Peak (1828m)
  • 13/12
    Mt Aicken (1858m)
  • 13/12
    Mt Cassidy (1850m)
  • 13/12
    Mt Guinevere (2042m)
  • 13/12
    Mt Lancelot (2112m)
Click Here to view most recent 42 condition images.

  • Travel Advice: Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
  • Avalanche Activity: Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.
More avalanche assessment detail - Click Here or visit www.avalanche.net.nz

Park Shot

Park Shot - Arthur's Pass firefighters, Tom & Gerald, race out hose at Bealey Spur wildfire - Bealey Spur
16/02: Arthur's Pass firefighters, Tom & Gerald, race out hose at Bealey Spur wildfire - Bealey Spur
(photo provided by Hamish Reid with thanks)
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Click Here if it won't open!

If you'd like to submit a (non-commercial) recent scenic or interesting image for the "Park Shot" (Arthur's Pass, Craigieburn, Torlesse or Lewis Pass accepted - 800 pixels wide minimum) please email Click Here for a summary of Copyright Issues.

Getting High

Getting High - Campsite at Lake Mavis enroute to a traverse of the Polar Range - APNP
7/02: Campsite at Lake Mavis (1590m) enroute to a traverse of the Polar Range - APNP
(photo provided by Markus Milne with thanks)
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Click Here if it won't open!

If you'd like to submit a (non-commercial) recent mountaineering image for the "Getting High" photograph (images must contain climbers/trampers, and can be mountaineering/climbing from anywhere in the world - 800 pixels wide minimum) please email Click Here for a summary of Copyright Issues.

Park News

  • Cass-Lagoon track has windfall trees between Hamilton & West Harper Huts.
  • Taramakau River route has major landslips in headwater, Locke Stream hut no longer has a emergency radio, fallen trees & slips on Otira flood-track, and emergency shelter at Taramakau/Otira junction has washed away.
  • POO POTS are great (sold at Arthur's Pass VC) but they cannot be disposed of in the Arthur's Pass sewerage systems; also DO NOT put them in our waste bins; YOU CAN put them in long drop toilets at one of the huts or campsites.
  • The Poulter Valley track between the Mt White Road and the Browns Creek (Park Boundary) has large washouts, very difficult access by 4WD to Park boundary (Note: Must enter the Poulter riverbed to access). Foot & mountain bike OK access.
  • Lower Otehake swing-bridge has been removed permanently by DOC!
  • The lower Styx River route has severe damage - only accessible safely at low water (must cross).
  • The "bad boys" are back Both in Arthur's & Lewis Pass areas - Vehicle breakins are common place at car parks / Park entry points, leave no valuables in vehicle or park vehicle securely elsewhere; notify Police of any suspicious activity (take registrations)!
  • The Otehake Valley has severe damage (very slow going).

Local Weather Station Data

LATEST DAILY READINGS
Update: 18/2/14 19:00hrs NZST
Sunrise: 5:57hrs
Sunset: 19:33hrs
Temperature: 15.0ºC
Wind Chill: 15.0ºC
Humidity: 100%
Barometer: 1012.7mb (Rising)
Wind Speed: 4.8km/h
Wind Direction: W
Wind Gust: 120.7km/h (1:30hrs)
Cloud Base: 730m ASL
Freezing Level: 3338m
Daily Rainfall: 31.75mm
Hourly Rain: 0mm/hr

RIVERS ARE HIGH!
THIS STORM CYCLE (14hrs)
Storm is currently in a lull period of 6hrs.
Rainfall: 35.30mm
High Rain Rate: 6.4mm/hr @ 3:07hrs 18/02
Temp Low: 12.3ºC
Temp High: 17.3ºC
Wind Gust: 120.7kmph @ 1:30hrs 18/02
Dom.Wind Dir: West
Barometer Low: 1005.6mb
SNOW MODEL
Mt Rolleston (Goldney Ridge) 1800m
Alt. Temp: 8.6ºC
Alt. Windspeed: 9.7kmph
Alt. Wind Chill: 7.1ºC
Alt. 3 Day Rainfall: 35.3mm (Today: 31.7mm)
Last Snowfall: 22 days ago
Snowpack Depth: 0.0cm
7 Day Snowfall: 0.0cm
Click Here for further snowfall data.

Fire Danger Board - Data Unavailable
Click Here to view full weather station details.

General Information

  • Waimak Flood Route: DoC has reinstated (and rerouted) the Waimakariri flood route from Anti-Crow River to Greenlaw Creek which was severely damaged in the 1994 earthquake. It still has some issues that may cause the waimak to cut it off!
  • Huts:The New Hawdon Hut is located upstream of Discovery Creek confluence below Walker Pass incline. Sudden Valley, Pfeifer, Poulter and East Hawdon Bivouacs have also been replaced. Hallejulah, Thompson, Waterfall and Top Cox Bivouacs have been permanently removed. Upper Cox Hut has been removed. Mingha Biv is to remain, it will be maintained by the Coast to Coast Race.
  • AP Club Huts: Please note that NO ONE in Arthur's Pass Village has the door codes or keys to the NZAC, CMC or WCAC club huts, please get them before your arrival!