Cameron challenge
Date: 10 Aug 2002, The Press, Christchurch, page D16
Caption: Cameron Valley has long been a mecca for serious alpinists, with many steep, exposed-face routes possible on the peaks. Mount Arrowsmith rises to 2781m.

Fact file Access: From Mount Somers township, inland Canterbury, follow the Ashburton Gorge Road to the junction with the Hakatere Heron Road. Follow this to Lake Heron and continue along the lake shore to the gravel pit marked on the map. Here, an indistinct vehicle track leads off to the left towards the Cameron Valley, which will be seen exiting the rounded hills through a cutting. It is about 1 1/2 km along this track to a gate where cars are left. Time: Gate to Cameron Hut, 5-6hr. The return trip is somewhat shorter, being mostly downhill. Hut fees: Cameron Hut fees are $5 per person per night, payable to the Canterbury Mountaineering Club, PO Box 2415, Christchurch. Grading: Moderate. Map: J35.

Peaks reminiscent of the Italian Dolomites, the beauty and clarity of the high country, and a comfortable mountain hut are the attractions of this remote valley set in the Lake Heron Basin.

The Cameron Valley offers a long and sometimes tiring approach to the eastern aspect of the jagged Arrowsmith Range, which rises to 2781m at Mount Arrowsmith.

This, together with a cluster of six other major summits over 2500m and numerous minor peaks reaching 2300-2400m, provide a dramatic wall of alpine grandeur isolating the valley from the Main Divide further to the north-west.

It has long been a mecca for serious alpinists, with many steep, exposed-face routes possible on the peaks, as well as the opportunity for some challenging winter ice routes. A relatively large glacier, the Cameron, lies in a shaded basin at around 2000m, between the main range and an outlier, granting climbers easy access on to the peaks.

For trampers, the valley offers mostly a return trip, albeit amid spectacular surroundings. From the vehicle track at the mouth of the Cameron River, where vehicles can be left, a 4WD trail leads into the valley alongside a bulldozed flood protection wall.

As the valley narrows, the trail is left behind and flats interspersed with sections of rough track, penetrating the more dense matagouri thickets, are the tramper's fare for some hours upstream until the remains of the old Highland homestead is passed on the far bank.

From here, the valley widens to include shingle flats and easier going until the short upper gorge is reached. This is readily traversed and leads again to more open going, still on the south bank, or river right. At the top of the upper gorge your first unobstructed view of the Arrowsmiths is gained.

Earlier glimpses have been just enough to spur your pace to reach the valley head. At any season, the black and white wall of peaks is an astonishing spectacle, and if this is a first visit, quite unexpected in its bold and rugged profile.

Above the top flats, a moderate climb begins on a cairned track up a shallow gully over old moraines. This starts on the river right beside the valley wall and climbs for almost 200m before curving round and descending slightly to reach the hut, sited in mid-valley on a large gravel and tussock flat beside the upper river.

The hut has nine bunks and is maintained by the Canterbury Mountaineering Club, to which fees are payable. A mountain radio broadcasts weather information at 7.30pm each day as well as maintaining a listening watch for any emergencies.

Here you are nestled beneath several very big mountains with East Horn's sharp aretes and sheer bluffs rising almost 1300m directly above the hut.

The lower portion of the Cameron Glacier is visible from here and parties wishing to get a closer view can continue up the "carriageway", an obvious lateral trench running up the south side of the valley above the hut.

A second night at the hut would allow for more exploration or perhaps even an ascent of the glacier, for those with glacier experience, rope, ice axe, and crampons.

More competent parties, equipped with ice axe and crampons, could try Peg Col, 2004m, visible to the north-west from the hut. This leads to Jagged Stream in the Rakaia valley. Otherwise, return is by the Cameron Valley route.