Photo: Exploring Kaikoura and Mt Fyffe – Seaward Kaikoura Range
The Seaward and Inland Kaikōura ranges rise steeply from the sea and from dry Marlborough valleys. Tapuae-o-Uenuku, in the Inland range, is the highest mountain in the South Island outside the Southern Alps.
The club's trips here are largely alpine: Alpine 1 is the most common grade. They include climbs and snow trips on Tapuae-o-Uenuku, Manakau and Mt Fyffe, and hut trips in the Hodder valley. August to October is the busiest time in the reports, when the tops are under snow.
Conditions in the ranges can be harsh, and trips need alpine skills and equipment.
Highlight trips
Happy on Tappy!2017 · Alpine 1
Te Ao Whekere Reconaissance2020 · Medium-Fit
Mt Uwerau yes, Mt Manakau no (again)2019 · Alpine 2
Mt Fyffe – Hapuku Hut loop – Seaward Kaikoura Range2024 · Medium
Manakau ~ Uwerau Traverse (well, some of it anyway)2018 · Alpine 1
Mt Tarahaka – on the Road to Nowhere 🔁2023 · Alpine 1
Tapuae-o-Uenuku. Well almost.2016 · Alpine 1- Trip reportAscent of Tapuae-o-UenukuAn AIC behind many of us, the dry climate of the Kaikouras drew 9 people in search of one of NZ’s highest but easier to climb peaks, Mt Tapeau-O-Uenuku. The ‘Tappy’ trip is becoming a regular club event, taking a Friday off work and setting forth to tackle…
- From the newsletterThe Final Objective (Fit trip)Our mission: to seize contro! of Hapuku bridge on the Kaikoura coast and gain it for the force of pitbashing and sioth. Our resull: very tired and very wet. This is a story of sacrifice, of individual endeavour and heroism. Our party boards the ferry, armed…