Air Max 2011 Climbing in The Darrans, New Zealand

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Recommended:Talbot's Ladder/ Grave-Talbot PassSouth East Ridge of Mt Tutoko (2723m)Original Route, Mt Christina (2474m)South Ridge of Mt Milne (2158m)East Ridge of North Llawrenny Peak (1925m)East Ridge of Mitre Peak (1638m)Alpine Rock Climbing
The predominant westerly winds aren't as strong as further north in the Aspiring or Mt Cook areas, and have usually died away by late summer (February and March) bringing more stability. These are the prime months to make a visit to "The Darrans"- the weather has settled and the snow has melted off the last of the alpine rock routes.
Because of the geographical positioning of "The Darrans [link widoczny dla zalogowanych], " the rainfall, at 600 inches a year, is one of the highest in the world.
Weather, an Important Factor to Consider
Types of Climbing in "The Darrans"Mountaineering
This is where "The Darrans" really come into their own, due to the fantastic friction of the "diorite" granite rock.
Thousands of tourists come every year to visit the scenery of Fiordland National Park or to walk the famous Milford Track. A growing number come to climb on the pristine diorite granite or make an ascent of Mt Tutoko (2723m), the highest peak in the region.
Despite this, there can be long spells of fine weather, usually heralded by southerly winds and cooler temperatures. These anticyclones can last up to five days, and if the climber keeps a close eye on the weather forecast [link widoczny dla zalogowanych], perhaps biding their time sport climbing in Wanaka three hours away, they can be in position to climb when a high pressure system arrives.
Unlike climbing in more northern parts of the Southern Alps, mountaineering in The Darrrans is devoid of moraines or large glaciers. The peaks tend to be steep, technical and require the climber to be fast over a mixture of terrain. Routes on the larger peaks of the Northern Darrens are huge, with elevation gains of over 2500 metres.
The huge glaciers that once scoured these granite peaks have long since retreated [link widoczny dla zalogowanych], leaving behind a landscape of enormous rock walls, deep fiords and snow and ice-clad summits.
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