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Route: Mt Earnslaw (North Face) – Muddy Creek Carpark

Submitted by tom uher on Sat, 02/28/2026 - 08:22pm
Location
New Zealand
Distance
39.08 km
Vertical Gain
2,549 m
Description

Mount Earnslaw / Pikirakatahi (2,819m) via the North Face, starting and finishing at Muddy Creek Carpark in the Rees Valley.

Route follows the Rees Valley track to Kea Basin, continues to the toe of Birley Glacier, then ascends the North Face to the summit. Return via the same route to Muddy Creek Carpark.

Mount Earnslaw is the highest peak in the Whakatipu Basin and one of the most prominent mountains surrounding the head of Lake Wakatipu. The route involves valley trail, alpine basin travel, glacier access, and steep snow/ice climbing on the upper mountain.

GPS Track
Earnslaw_nora_tom.gpx14.52 MB

FKTs

Images

Comments

SummerRowe
Wed, 03/04/2026 - 09:26pm

Impressive route! The Mount Earnslaw north face from Muddy Creek Carpark looks like a serious alpine challenge with big elevation and technical terrain. Huge respect to anyone attempting or setting an FKT on such a demanding line. wheelie life