Mount Somers Rock Climbing

Well known but little visited by climbers, Mount Somers offers excellent backcountry sport and trad climbing at the foot of the Southern Alps. A 3 hour hike from the car park to the crags keeps many climbers away, but adds a sense of adventure to the trip. The Pinnacles Hut at the base of the climbing area provides serviced accommodation for 19 people, however you may want to get there early as it is popular with weekend trampers.

There are two types of climbing to be found here: the free-standing pinnacles at the base of the mountain offer bolted sport climbs on notoriously crumbly andesite. These climbs range from the low teens to mid 20's and can be 1 to 3 pitches in length. The main attraction here is the hexagonal rhyolite columns which crop out in scattered formations further up the hill. These are primarily trad climbing crags in a wide range of grades, however there are some fully bolted sport climbs and bolt anchors to be found at most areas. Climbs range from 1 to 3 pitches in length.