Temple Basin, Arthur’s Pass
Some of Aotearoa’s most spectacular mountain views don’t require reaching a summit, but they still take a little effort to earn. In this issue, Peter Laurenson takes us to Temple Basin near Arthur’s Pass, where an hour’s climb reveals dramatic views across the Southern Alps and the imposing slopes of Mt Rolleston. From the first light of dawn illuminating rugged ridgelines to adventures higher above the basin, Peter shares another memorable alpine journey and a location well worth the climb for photographers and mountain lovers alike.
Just an hour’s climb up a rugged but well-formed trail, there is a spectacular spot to view one of Aotearoa’s famous peaks bathed in Mother Nature’s dawn colour palette. The sunset view is well worth a look too.
Just off SH73, a little north of Arthur’s Pass at 900 metres, is a car park at the base of Temple Basin Track, which leads to a ski field of the same name. Temple Basin is one of the oldest club-run ski fields in the country, founded in 1929. If you don’t fancy making the climb pre-dawn under head-torch light, you can spend a night at one of two lodges located at about 1,360 metres. There is the more basic Canterbury University Student Lodge, completed in 1964, and the Ferrier Lodge, completed in 1976 and offering catered meals and a bar.
The famous peak is Mt Rolleston. From the valley floor, Rome Ridge snakes up nearly 1.5 vertical kilometres to Low Peak at 2,212 metres. High Peak sits a tad further northwest, 63 metres higher. As the kea flies, only five kilometres separate these summits from Temple Basin, and in the clear dawn alpine air they seem much closer. I’ve climbed Mt Rolleston via Rome Ridge. It was exhilarating and ranks as one of my favourite climbs. Viewing the route so directly from Temple Basin makes it look particularly formidable.
