Avalanche Peak - The Course

Click Here For Course Map

 

When training on the course you must use the following official maps:

• Topomap K33 - Otira (1:50,000)
• Parkmap Arthur's Pass (1:100,000)

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Course Description

Avalanche Peak Challenge is a 25k mountain race in true mountain environment.

The course starts in Arthur’s Pass Village, at 760m above sea level, from D.O.C. Visitor Centre Car Park.  

To break up the field before the bush tracks, the race starts with 1.5k on the road to Arthur’s Pass Chapel. You enter the actual Avalanche Peak Track behind the chapel. The track is rough and single file, climbing steeply through thick bush to the bush line, which is at 1220m above sea level.

At the bush line the track continues along the open ridgeline to the edge of a large basin under the Avalanche Peak Summit, which is at 1833m above sea level.

At this point the course follows the right hand route, following the poles along the ridgeline all the way to the summit. Do not take the shingle-gut up the centre! The bluffs are too steep and exposed and dangerous for people in running gear!

Marshals will be stationed at appropriate points all along the route.

The route from the Summit takes you onto the ridge leading to Mt Rolleston. This section is good running.

Follow the Mt Rolleston ridge to the far shingle slide. Do not take any earlier shingle slides as they all have bluffs.

The far shingle slide has an obvious descent into the head-waters of the Crow River and you can see the obvious route all the way to the bottom of the slide.

On race day this far shingle slide will have a marshal and check point that all competitors must check in to.

Take this far shingle slide all the way down to the Crow River, where there will be another checkpoint that you have to report to.

The route then travels down the Crow River, staying on the good tracks on the right hand side of the valley until a river crossing at the last bend in the Crow River.

Once you cross the river you will see the confluence of the Crow and Waimakariri rivers running under a high shingle slide and side creek. Look for a marked track on your left that will cut through a bush spur and bring you out on to the grassy flats of the Waimakariri Riverbed.

Follow the grassy flats down the riverbed, keeping toward the left side as much as possible, all the way to Klondyke Corner. To finish you cross the main road into the Klondyke Corner picnic area.  

To train or race this course you must be capable of three to five hours for runners and four to seven hours for walkers.

Always take a topo map, warm clothing, jacket, food, fluids and a survival blanket. The Crow and Waimakariri rivers are safe to drink.

Never attempt to run the course when it is snowing. This is very dangerous as several areas are extremely slippery.

Never train on the course alone! Always register your intentions with the Arthur’s Pass Information Centre.

Parts of the Avalanche Peak Ridgeline are on a razor-backed ridge with drops on both sides of the track. The track is safe, but some people do feel uncomfortable running or walking alone. Travel in groups and take your time.

The shingle slide down into the Crow River is very steep, but is straight forward to negotiate. Just take your time and don’t travel directly ahead or behind others.
A copy of the Avalanche Peak Challenge Health and Safety Plan can be downloaded here.