Mount Own Traverse | 7 February 2026
Day 1
Due to the complicated nature of the start and finish of this trip we used Trips and Transfers to move the 8 of us to the start at Owen Valley East. There were already 6 cars at the start so we thought it might be a busy day out but most of the owners must have been cavers
going underground not overland. Under cloudless skies we walked up beside the Owen River and doing 5 crossings not 3 (as per topo map) before the start of the climb. Gion’s hope that we would have dry feet was sadly misplaced! We took on water before the grueling 1000m climb to Sunrise Peak. It was steep up to the bushline and steeper thereafter. Wasps were a problem with half the party having multiple stings.
NTC trampers climbing Sunrise Ridge, Kahurangi NP
The camping options on the Peak were quite limited, and I was glad I had restricted the party size for this very reason.
Apart from space, the other problem, being on limestone, was the complete lack of water, hence the need to carry every last drop from the bottom of the hill. I know this was a major concern – the load. Plus, you don’t really know how much you need. For myself I started
with 6.5l and had 2.75l left by the time we left the next morning. I drank two bottles on the way up, it being a very hot day. Soon after arriving at the summit of Sunrise Peak at about 4pm we were entertained by a pair of kea and then we were given a light show by the dipping sun with extensive views to the Marlborough Sounds, Inland Kaikoura, Nelson Lakes and down the West Coast.
Sunset from Sunrise
Day 2
The sunrise was at 6.30am and it dawned a brilliant day. The night had been a disturbed one for most due to a combination of wind, flapping tents and sloping ground. Added to this for Heidi was a deflated mattress due to Spaniards and an unsuccessful repair (how many holes are there?!). So, a change of plan was needed, and we decided to head for the Granity Pass hut where the mattresses are as hard as! We set off at 8 in a northerly direction following a In the middle of the maze cairned route (the poles stopped at Sunrise). I had done this before so knew what we needed to do but we went a bit wrong by following the wrong cairns through a natural rock arch and into a labyrinth of limestone crevasses that eventually barred the route. A retrace back under the arch (more photo ops) and we were on the right track again. For future reference go as far north as you can following the ramparts guarding the southern slopes of Mt Owen before turning sharp west to follow a distinct grassy hollow rising to the SW corner of Mt Owen.
Mike Drake met us as expected in the middle of this limestone maze (he was doing his own 2-day trip from Bulmer Creek). We followed the cairns up and up the SW spur of Mt Owen but we got to a point where prudence told us we should go no further and we headed down the grassy western
slopes to have a lunch drinking in the views to the north and west.
NTC Trampers navigating the Mount Owen MassifDay Three
No pressure today. The transport was due at 3, the track time was a generous 4-5 hours (why does the DoC brochure say 6)? So, we delayed our departure to 10am to reduce our exposure to sun and sandflies at Courthouse Flat. We had time to give the hut table a vigorous clean and tidy the place up a little. And what a great situation the hut is in. Shame it hasn’t got a fire for cold nights but there you are. The tramp down the hill was uneventful, though no less beautiful for all that. Lunch was had at the track fork and then down to the Blue Creek where a largely Australian party were just setting up to go diving in the resurgence. We were back in town for 5.00.
Thank you to Heidi, Astrid, Janey, Gion, Axel, Adam and Bevan for your excellent company
and good spirits. It was an intrepid trip.
Trampers: David (Leader / Scribe), Heidi, Astrid, Janey, Gion, Axel, Adam & Bevan