Top class views of numerous peaks & two river valleys on this somewhat adventurous walk up Mt Binser (1860m) in Arthur’s Pass National Park.
Mt Binser had been recommended by a mountaineering neighbour of ours as a walk with great views and a bit of bush bashing to add to a sense of adventure. My wife Sophia rated the views as possibly the best we’d seen since arriving in NZ seven months earlier, which was a big call considering the quality of walks we’d done in that time. The views were spectacular though, taking in two river valleys, including views right up the Waimakariri River, countless peaks in every direction, many of them now familiar to us from other walks, and the rugged bare slopes of Mt Binser itself.
To get these views you have a fair physical challenge, including roughly 30 minutes untracked through forest, and then a steep ascent to the first of three peaks; there’s about 1500m of ascent and descent all up. There’s also steep scree slopes to negotiate once up on the tops, but in good weather it was all very doable and so I can highly recommend this walk for the moderately fit and experienced.
A South Island Robin I think. It was very friendly, pecking at anything it thought might be food, including our gaiters. Ascending through beech on the Binser Saddle Track. Above the bushline here, on a steep ascent to the first peak at 1753m. Spear grass making a nice foreground, with the Waimakariri River in the background. Looking west. From left to right (roughly): Purple Hill, Lake Pearson, Craigieburn Range, Sugarloaf, Dark Range, Waimakariri River, and various peaks in Arthurs Pass National Park, including Mt Bealey which we had climbed the day before. A close up of the Waimakariri Valley from nearby point 1753m. Sophia just visible on the low point of the ridge leading to the middle peak. She waited for me to catch up before proceeding, as she was intimidated by the steepness of the scree slopes in this section. Looking down steep bare slopes to the west. Looking out from the rugged western facing slopes. The bare rocky slopes dropping steeply from the low peak. Sophia stopping for a rest, rather than posing for this photo, although I think it works as a posed photo.
These shots from the summit…
The Poulter River as it joins the Waimakariri River, coming in from the right. I think that is Chest Peak in the Puketeraki Range on the left. A panorama looking east. The Torlessse Range back right, and the Puketeraki Range to the left. Looking south-east over the Torlesse Range, Purple Hill, Lake Pearson, Mt Hutt in the far distance, and the Craigieburns. A panorama of the Waimakariri Valley from the summit of Mt Binser, 1860m.
Leaving the summit here…
Looking back at the red tinged summit. Sophia at bottom. Lots of colour and texture in this photo, with the Poulter River to the right, and the low peak (1753m) to the left. Returning to the low peak. The Poulter River.
Looking up at the low peak. It was a fairly steep ridge we had to climb. Sophia standing about a third of the way up. Looking up the Waimakariri Valley in afternoon light. Descending back down to the Binser Saddle Track with various unnamed peaks to the north (including one named peak, Brown Hill, 1716m). Colourful scree slopes with the Poulter Valley in the distance. Misty mountains deeper into Arthur’s Pass National Park. Returning down the Binder Saddle Track in pleasant late afternoon light.
Track Notes
On a track as far as Binser Saddle, then a steep climb track off track through beech forest to the bushline, and onward through tussock and scree to the low peak (1753m). It’s then ridge travel on scree and some tussock to the middle peak (1831m), then a short descent to a saddle before arriving at the summit of Mt Binser (1860m).
The start of the Binser Saddle Track is off Mt White Road shortly after a shallow ford. I noticed one car parked just before the ford, so perhaps they didn’t want to take their 2wd car over the stream. In this case you would have to walk over the stream and along a vehicle track for about 800m to the start.
The route is on a formed track as far as Binser Saddle, then after entering a clearing turn right into the forest at a point of your choosing; we chose a spot right at the end of the clearing. This initial section of forest is dense and will involve maybe 10 minutes of twigs in the face and climbing over dead trees etc. Soon enough the forest thins and travel is easier, but the slope steepens. As you head due south you will probably hear a stream in a gully to your left (east), and you can keep this nearby as you head up towards the bushline. (This will help you find your way back on the way down).
It’s then a steep climb through shingle, tussock and speargrass to the low peak (1753m). The views are great from here on in as you travel along a ridge to the middle peak (1831m), passing a section of narrow ridge flanked by steep scree slopes, and also involving a steep descent and ascent. (Sophia was intimidated by this section, but it was safe enough). Then from the middle peak it’s a short descent to a saddle before arriving at the summit of Mt Binser (1860m).
Return the way you came or you can also descend steeply via a spur to the south-west and then back along the road.
Go Sophia – you are amazing – that looks so scary.
Hi Jenny. I’ll pass on the compliment 😀👍
Great report & photos, Edward – thank you so much!
Cheers Helmut 😀 This walk was recommended by a mountaineer neighbour of ours and certainly delivered.