A Brief Guide to Mt Owen

A solo adventure to the highest peak in Kahurangi National Park

New Years Eve, 2023. A week or so into my Christmas holiday break, I continued to wait patiently for a good weather window. My plan was to head south and spend a few nights fulfilling a long-held dream: exploring the surreal landscapes of Mt Titiroa. Alas, Fiordland kept doing Fiordland things, with constant waves of rain arriving and making for not so pleasant tramping conditions.

To the north, the weather was looking a lot more settled. A fitting plan B with equally surreal landscapes came to mind: the marbled massif of Mt Owen.

After six hours driving from Christchurch I arrived at Courthouse Flat Campsite. No celebrations to bring in 2024; I was fast asleep by 10pm ahead of an early start on the first day of the new year.

The next 3 days were absolute tramping bliss. The scenery around Mt Owen is both beautiful and fascinating: craggy peaks, sculpted rock, complex cave and underground river systems, and unique flora. What an incredible place – can’t wait to head back here at some point.

The brief guide for this one is contained in the detailed video below. Scroll further down for several images from the trip and then a little bit of safety info.

p.s. I made it to Mt Titiroa straight after this trip… blog to come 😊

Video highlights from Mt Owen (4K cinematic; 19 minutes long)
Spot my tent! Campsite (second night) near the summit of Mt Owen, 1,875m
Sunrise view from Mt Owen, looking north-west across the many ranges of Kahurangi National Park
More sunrise views from the Mt Owen summit
The sun arrives at camp and provides some warmth after a cool night
The high vantage point, coupled with a long lens, gave plenty of opportunities for these layered shots
More layer-y goodness
Cloud wafting around the peaks made for plenty of mood
Unexpected colour at sunset after the cloudy afternoon and low visibility
Campsite (night 1) at the tarns just to the south of Sentinel Hill

Know before you go

Remoteness

Mt Owen is a remote location. Mobile phone reception is possible at some high points, but can’t be guaranteed. Carrying a personal locator beacon is a must for emergencies. If you injure yourself help won’t arrive quickly, so always carry a well-stocked first aid kit.

Navigation

There is a well worn track from Courthouse Flat all the way to the Mt Owen summit, but it’s unmarked beyond Granity Pass Hut. The Owen massif is a maze of crevasses and caves, so navigation could get difficult in inclement weather. Skills and experience with maps and/or GPS is a must.

Conditions

Near Granity Pass Hut, a small section of the track heads up a normally dry river bed; during prolonged or heavy rain it may become impassable. In winter, Mt Owen can become dangerous, with snow bridging and disguising deep crevasses and holes among the rocks.

Gear

Being New Zealand, we can get four seasons in one day. It’s always recommended to carry sufficient gear to cater for all potential conditions, and backup food supplies in case of getting stuck somewhere.