Two NZAC Wellington members (Kevin Patterson and Laurie Griffin) planned a rock climbing trip to Malte Brun (3199m) over the New Year period. Unfortunately due to forecast poor weather up high for the planned summit day (Thursday) we diverted to Arthurs Pass and bagged Franklin and Phipps instead. Franklin was a 3 day trip with an interesting walk in up the Mingha and down the Deception Rivers to Deception Hut. This forms part of the Coast-to-Coast race held each year in February and so we saw many practise runners coming through! Summit day was stunning and we had perfect conditions. After a 6am start we climbed from 750m to summit the 2145m peak at 4pm in the afternoon. 2 very enjoyable pitches from the south col could have been avoided if a more direct line had been taken. But then we would have carried the rope for nothing! We got back to the hut just on dark (10pm) and walked out down the Deception the following day passing a further 31 runners on the way in the drizzle. After a rest day with a bit of late afternoon bouldering at Quantum Field, we climbed the 1960m Phipps Peak at the head of Temple Basin Skifield. One pitch on the way up and 8 raps to descend directly to the scree slopes below. 12 hour day all up, again in perfect conditions. See http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=564467&l=11d2e&id=783826158 for photo’s and more detail.
