Bealey Spur
Green
Credit: Michal Klajban
Basic Details
Takeoff GPS -43.034373, 171.546707
Takeoff Altitude: 1520m
Landing GPS 43°01'06.7"S 171°35'43.5"E
Landing Zone altitude: 620m
The Hike
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Track Start GPS: 43°01'40.6"S 171°37'49.2"E
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Duration: ~2.5hrs
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Distance / vertical gain: 8-10km / 900m elevation gain
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Difficulty: Easy
Notes:
This walk has stunning views in fine weather and is more gradual than most of the alpine tracks around Arthur’s Pass village. It is well marked to the historic Bealey Spur Hut, the trail then continuing directly up the ridge toward the launch above the treeline.
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The Takeoff
Terrain:
Various launch areas among scattered rocks, short launch areas that slope away to steepening ground and forest
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Launch direction: North
LZ visible from TO? Yes
The Flight
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Min. G.R. to LZ required: 5:1
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Flying over: Trees along spur and Waimakariri River
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Hazards: No site-specific hazards
Primary LZ
Land at Arthur Pass lookout carpark and walk/hitchhike back to start of track
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Terrain: Carpark, flat dirt. Make sure there aren't too many cars there.
Alternatively, land on the riverbed which is composed of small rounded rocks. -
Wind direction indicators: Tussock, trees, grass, dust.
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Hazards: Road, powerlines
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Hike out: 3.2km walk from lookout carpark
Tips & Hazards
Watch out for seabreeze pushing along Waimakariri river. Can land adjacent to car – plenty of fields, just watch for matagauri, fences and power lines
