26km return
1691 total ascent
10.5 hours
Mt Peel stands out along the Canterbury Foothills, driving up and down State Highway 1 between Rakaia and Timaru it’s hard to miss. The three peeks of Peel have caught my attention for years, unfortunately I have never been able to make it on a trip to any of the peaks. So on the bucket list it went.
As has been the case of late, I am achieving a number of these bucket list items and Mt’s Peel are no exception. Everything all came into place, the weather, the company and the plan. My excitement was running high at the prospect of finally knocking off this range that I have stared at for many years.
My two companions and I had an early morning departure from Ashburton, heading inland towards the Blandswood end of the Mt Peel Track. The car park is spacious with ample parking, along with a signage panel and long drop. With boots laced, packs on and poles outstretched at the ready we were off for what was going to be a long hot day.
Initially, you walk up the remainder of the road to the dead end and the start of the Deer Spur Track. Many years ago it was possible to park up here and eliminate the steep road walk at the beginning and end of the day, but this is no longer the case and the tar seal underfoot makes for a solid start. After about 10 minutes the bush track greets you, the track softens and it is pleasant walking.
Deer Spurt Track is mixed until the bush line, including mud, steps, steep climbs and easier gradients. Along the climb there you catch glimpses out over the vast Canterbury Plains all the way to the coast. Once at the bush line, both views and terrain opens out. The going is much the same as before, climbing interspersed with boardwalk and easier gradients. Nearer the top the Tristam Harper Memorial Shelter comes in to view, along with the very steep climb to finish of the ascent of Little Mt Peel.
This shelter is in an ideal setting, there is room for four bodies if an overnight was required, long drop and water tank. But be wary, the tanks can be dry when there have been extended hot periods and no rain. Just above the shelter on a rocky outcrop is the trig marking the 1,311 metre peak of Little Mt Peel. We rested here, took on some more water and refueled for the ridgeline traverse to Middle and Big Peel.
From the trig, there is no marked track and while you can see the destination in the far distance, route finding skills are an added bonus. Traversing along the ridgeline, there are views down bushy gullies to the valleys below and along the Rangitata River. A descent followed by a good climb brings us to the top of the 1,583 meter Middle Mt Peel. Middle Peak is a wide open, almost football field sized and it is hard to pick the exact summit. We don’t delay here as the main objective lies in the far distance and the day is heating up.
After Middle there is another descent followed by the final push to the summit of Big Peel. This is the most technical section of the climb, we follow old animal and people trails that seem to go off in all directions. We can see where old slips of rock or winter avalanches have wiped out previous trails. Onward and upwards we go with some scrambling in the mix, a few old icy snow patches remain which require caution to cross, as a slip here would be less than ideal. As the trig comes ever closer, we do one last scramble and reach the 1,743 metre top that is Big Mt Peel. High fives all round and a well-earned lunch break are now the minds focus.
We take in the views, 360 degrees all around with not a cloud to be seen. It is a captivating place and I am so thankful to have achieved all three peaks.
Following lunch, we regather out thoughts, our minds and bodies are focus on the distant peak of Little Mt Peel and the ridgeline journey ahead. We retrace out steps back to Middle Peak, this time spending a while to identify the actual summit so we can say we knocked it off. Then onwards to Little Peel and the Tristam Harper Memorial Shelter where we again re-hydrate and refuel for the descent back to the car park.
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