Climbing Mt Hutt (2185m) from Terrible Gully was my biggest ever day-walk, at least in terms of climbing. As one of the highest peaks in the Canterbury Foothills, and a prominent mountain that can be seen from right across the Canterbury Plains, it’s an iconic peak that I’d been wanting to climb ever since moving to Christchurch three years earlier. There are excellent views on offer almost the whole day, including those available from Steepface Hill (1876m) which you visit along the way.
There are shorter routes up, but I chose to begin on the route up Steepface Hill that I was already familiar with, and this way avoided the need to cross private land. That meant a big day out though, with 2500m change in elevation over 20km. Track notes at the end.
There’s an alternate route along spurs from Double Hill Run Road in the Canterbury Forests and Foothills tramping guide book. The shortest way up would be to start from the ski field and climb over South Peak, but in this case I don’t think you can claim to have climbed the mountain. That might be a nice option in winter with limited daylight.
Mt Hutt via Steepface Hill: The Scenery
First a few shots from my first time up Steepface Hill in July 2020. You can see my original post and more photos here.
Cabbage trees lining Terrible Gully as it flows into the Rakaia River.
Terrible Gully. After big storms this can become a river of rocks.
Sophia ascending steeply up the first big hillside: about 1000 vertical metres.
The Rakaia River, and in the background the Big Ben Range.
The view from point 1488m. The summit of Steepface Hill to the right.
One here from autumn 2023 as I climbed Steepface Hill. I liked the bright colours.
Climbing steeply up the last section to the summit to Steepface Hill. Slow going at times.
I liked this aesthetic of rocks and snow, with the braided Rakaia River in the mid ground.
A snowy valley.
Sophia on the summit of Steepface Hill (1876m).
Views south-west from just a bit past the summit.This video is of views from the summit on this day in autumn. Click here to see the winter version.
Now views enroute to Mt Hutt…
Looking back at Steepface Hill (right).
Now I know why they are called vegetable sheep. I’ve only ever seen quite small examples before, but this one could be mistaken for a giant wooly sheep!
The view west.
Looking east.
The summit…at last.
A jumble of mountains the west
The Rakaia River as it snakes its way over the Canterbury Plains. South Peak and the top of the ski fields out of frame to the right.A few returning back from the summit along the ridge.
Interesting geology up there.
Looking north-east.
Soft afternoon light as I approached Steepface Hill again.Track Notes
To Steepface Hill from Terrible Gully: Starts on a vehicle track then a foot track over private land. In 2023 the matagouri bushes were getting a bit overgrown and at the Hakatere Conservation Park boundary I ended up having to jump the farm fence a little up the hill to get around them. It’s then straight up for maybe a thousand vertical metres, through grassland at first, then tussock grass and other subalpine plants with patches of scree. Once you reach the ridge the incline eases, until you hit the final steep ascent through blocky scree.
The portion of this route from Steepface Hill to Mt Hutt is straightforward in summer/ autumn on mostly rock/shingle. The rock is sometimes loose and so some care needs to be taken, but there’s little to no scrambling required. In winter and for much of spring it’ll be snowy.After a brief period at the start on an easement, this route is entirely off-track. The initial climb is very steep on grass and later subalpine vegetation, then you are on rock / shingle the rest of the way. The ridge from Steepface Hill to Mt Hutt involves some change in elevation, (1000m for the return trip), but it’s never extreme. You can read more detail in my topo map captions above.
Wow! Impressive height gain. Not surprised Sophie wasn’t tagging along on this one.
She was on a plane going overseas. I thought I’d squeeze this one in as a physical challenge before daylight savings ends. And to distract myself from the fact that I’ll be home alone for 6 weeks!