Kea Basin, Mt Aspiring National Park

Autumn seemed to be a good season to climb Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi, but the reality turned out to be somewhat different.

After pleasant tramping along Kea Basin Track, we reached the cozy Earnslaw Hut. But it’s inhabitants, a family of mice, encouraged us to contiue for 15-minutes above the bushline to one of the best rock bivvies imaginable. This overhang, fully equipped with fireplace, utensils and two separate tussock-covered ‘bedrooms’, represents a five star sleeping facility.

Our excitement was later interrupted when, instead of gazing at the stars, we felt snowflakes falling on our faces.

In the morning, the landscape was covered with a white blanket and as we walked to Wright Col, the snow became deeper and the route more challenging.

We eventually reached Esquilant Bivvy Hut (2150m) where we stayed the night, but the route to the summit of Earnslaw was too treacherous with numerous small avlanches forcing our retreat.

– Jakub Cejpek