By Anna Christensen

The track begins at Porters Pass car park and climbs steeply through scattered tussock up the rounded Foggy Peak Ridge. 

Foggy Peak is a popular short walk and navigation is easy along a well-worn track. Even so, don’t deviate too far off the ridgeline which is the most straightforward route up. 

After many false summits, Foggy Peak is reached. It’s a rounded highpoint offering stunning views of the surrounding area. A rock shelter constructed at the top serves as a small shield from the wind.

From Foggy Peak the route descends about 60m along the ridgeline to a flat and expansive saddle. It is mostly rocky with a smattering of miniature alpine plants. From the saddle continue on a steady ascent for 1.5km to Pt1842. There’s a brief descent into the saddle between this high point and Castle Hill Peak, about 1km away. The ridge becomes a knife-edge and is steep to the 1998m peak. You’ll need confidence here as there are extensive drops on either side. 

There are spectacular views from the summit encompassing the Craigieburn Range, Kowhai River valley and the Canterbury Plains.

The route from here is less travelled but is relatively straightforward and drops 80m to reach Pt1941. Then, navigation becomes more difficult. The best option is following the ridgeline in a south-easterly direction. Stick to the left as the drop-offs to the right are sheer. Large rocks cover the landscape; it’s slow, scrambling travel. 

Walkers must now drop off the ridge in order to bypass the cliffs guarding access to The Gap. About 500m on from Pt1941, a scree slope can be seen falling away to the south-east of the ridge. It is possible to access The Gap this way, but a more straightforward route is to drop off the ridge on its northern side and sidle between the 1720m and 1740m contour. Eventually you’ll reach a worn path that sidles around one of the cliffs that make up The Gap. 

The Gap has sheer cliffs on two sides and spectacular views to the north-west and south-east.

You won’t forget standing there, and will likely savour the memory every time you spot that ‘missing tooth’ in the future.

The same route can be followed back to Porters Pass.