3 Passes Route: Southern Alps
Adventure Magazine|February - March 2021
In the heart of the Southern Alps of New Zealand lies one of the absolute transalpine classic trekking routes; the 3 Passes. It is revered by many as one of the great backcountry hikes the country has on offer. Its remoteness and reliance on perfect conditions means many a trip is sent back due to high water and wild weather. This January we set out to experience one of the classics.
Mike Dawson
3 Passes Route: Southern Alps

It was nothing out of the ordinary for this part of the country, but the visibility was minimal as we pulled off SH73. The windscreen wipers were raging against the barrelling rain as we stared out of the windscreen up the somewhat wet and stormy-looking valley of the Waimakariri River. Barely able to make out our route in the distance, and reliant on the somewhat promising weather report, we decided to head up with the idea of turning back if it didn’t improve. We loaded our full packs on our backs and set off embarking on a classic NZ Alpine route, the 3 Passes.

Our route would see us traversing Harman, Whitehorn, and Browning passes. This route is a challenging hike, encompassing 3 mountain passes, endless river crossing and some wild backcountry terrain. The trip begins with wet socks immediately, the first river crossing of the Waimakariri River right out of the carpark, sets the scene instantly. As you work your way the 4-5 hours up to Carrington Hut the magnificence of Carrington Peak start to emerge through the foggy skyline. From here the true nature of this ‘walk’ begins to emerge. The track heading up the White River is the first test. If your party in unable to get across the river here, it’s likely that the future river crossings will be impassable. Wise advice.

Bu hikaye Adventure Magazine dergisinin February - March 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Adventure Magazine dergisinin February - March 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

ADVENTURE MAGAZINE DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Papua New Guinea
Adventure Magazine

Papua New Guinea

Four reasons to add Papua New Guinea to your bucket list

time-read
3 dak  |
August 2021
The benefits of being a Multi-Trick Pony
Adventure Magazine

The benefits of being a Multi-Trick Pony

"A broad skill base and how you can draw from one platform to the next – women often pigeon hole themselves"

time-read
7 dak  |
August 2021
The RELUCTANT adventurer
Adventure Magazine

The RELUCTANT adventurer

An eighteen-year-old princess, who paints his (yes, his) nails and dyes his hair bleach blonde, embarking on an adventure trip with his family, sounds like a plot for a bad 80s movie.

time-read
8 dak  |
August 2021
The Meaning of Tramping
Adventure Magazine

The Meaning of Tramping

What does tramping mean to you?

time-read
6 dak  |
August 2021
Keala Kennelly owns Red Bull Magnitude
Adventure Magazine

Keala Kennelly owns Red Bull Magnitude

The North Shore season of 1957 is recognized in the surfing world as the start of an era. When Greg Noll, a young Mickey Munoz and company went out and rode Waimea for the first time, it was a glimpse of what could be in the world of big-wave surfing.

time-read
2 dak  |
August 2021
North West Circuit Stewart Island
Adventure Magazine

North West Circuit Stewart Island

I found myself in limbo during the winter of 2020, in between jobs in a strained covid economy. And so, I did what any outdoors person would do with a large amount of free time on their hands. It was time to pack up my belongings and hit the road. It was time to leave behind home comforts and go adventure-seeking.

time-read
9 dak  |
August 2021
Emilie's adventure to Angelus Hut
Adventure Magazine

Emilie's adventure to Angelus Hut

“I want to be the leader!” Miss Six announced, pushing past me in her determination to be in front. Momentarily off-balance with my heavy pack, I narrowly avoided twisting an ankle on the sharp rocks and silently swore while cracking a bright smile.

time-read
7 dak  |
August 2021
Nancy Jiang Breaking stereotypes
Adventure Magazine

Nancy Jiang Breaking stereotypes

I recently watched a youtube movie entitled, “Her Way” (check it out on the Adventure Website) which introduced a woman who had an overwhelming passion for running. The preface at the bottom of the clip, read as follows:

time-read
4 dak  |
August 2021
Adversity at Altitude
Adventure Magazine

Adversity at Altitude

The wind and snow is whipping at my face. I’ve readjusted the stiff frozen fleece buff around my neck and mouth, desperately trying to protect myself from the -20 degree bitter wind. Adrenaline is still pumping through my body but I know I’ll start to get cold soon.

time-read
10 dak  |
August 2021
Last Great Mountaineering Challenge
Adventure Magazine

Last Great Mountaineering Challenge

Ground-breaking mountaineer Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja MBE has attained an incredible new world record by submitting K2 as part of a collaborative team in the depths of winter. Until now, it was a record that was believed to be impossible to accomplish and was famously known as the ‘last great mountaineering challenge’.

time-read
2 dak  |
February - March 2021