Castle Hill and Banks Peninsula

From Nelson Lakes we travelled over Lewis Pass, stopping for a couple of hours in the thermal pools of Hamner Springs before heading over the Canterbury Plains and up into the foothills and the Castle Hill Basin. We spent a few days here exploring the extensive limestone outcrops and boulders of Quantum Field, just a small part of the whole area! Plenty to go back to. It did however take a while to get used to the unique techniques of limestone friction climbing!

With sore hands and climbing muscles, we headed to the Banks Peninsula, for some spectacular sunny views of the harbour and rocky summits. Plans for a spot of climbing here were however cut short by the wet morning that we woke up to, so we decided to head into Christchurch.

Tim soloing the ultra classic splitter crack of Rembandit (21) at Quatum Field in Castle Hill Basin

(New Zealand's Font!)

Helen enjoying the blank slabs of Quantum Field

Banks Peninsula