Ball Pass - the modern route

Mount Cook

An epic mountaineering adventure crossing 2 alpine passes and traversing the Mount Cook Range. Spectacular views of New Zealand's highest peaks.

Hiking Extreme

Distance: 7.9 km
Ascent: 633 m
Descent: 1.5 km
Duration: 2-3 hrs

Low Point: 896 m
High Point: 2.1 km
Gradient: 26˚

Trek across high mountain passes surrounded by New Zealand's highest peaks and longest glacier! Enjoy spectacular views of the South Face of Aoraki Mount Cook, Mount Sefton, Mount La Perouse and many of New Zealand's highest peaks. Cross the Mount Cook Range from the Tasman Valley to the Hooker Valley via Ball Pass, then cross back to the Tasman Valley via Mabel Col. Enjoy a dip in an alpine tarn before descending next to the impressive Cove Stream Gorge and its waterfalls.

Crossing scree near Ball Pass Photo: Alpine Recreation

Climbing up rough scree above the Hooker Valley. Photo: Alpine Recreation

Ascending scree fields up to Mabel Col. Hooker Glacier Lake and Mount Sefton in the background. Photo: Alpine Recreation

Alpine tarn below Mabel Col. Tasman Glacier Lake and Murchison Valley in the background. Photo: Alpine Recreation

Mabel Tarn at the head of Cove Stream. Photo: Alpine Recreation

Descending alpine tussock slopes next to the upper Cove Stream Gorge. Mabel Col is on the (right side) horizon above. Photo: Alpine Recreation

Hiking along Ball Ridge Photo: Alpine Recreation

Climbing up Ball Ridge in fresh snow. Photo: Alpine Recreation

Trekkers crossing the Ball Glacier, Tasman Glacier in the background. Photo: Alpine Recreation

Ball Pass is often covered in snow and ice. Crampons, ice axe and mountaineering experience are required for a safe crossing. Photo: Alpine Recreation

Hiking through boulders along Ball Ridge Photo: Alpine Recreation

Crossing the Ball Glacier in front of the Caroline Face of Aoraki Mount Cook Photo: Alpine Recreation

Description

This route is a modern variation of the classic / traditional Ball Pass Crossing. It spends more time in alpine terrain (avoiding all the moraine wall washouts in the East Hooker Valley) and also crosses a second pass - Mabel Col.

Previous mountaineering experience is recommended if doing this route unguided. Crampons and ice axe are required. The route crosses exposed ledges, rough alpine scree and boulder fields, snow slopes, glaciers, steep tussock slopes and alpine scrub. In most places there is no trail. The terrain is rugged and untracked, route-finding is difficult.

Starting from Caroline Hut, it takes 9-12 hours of alpine trekking / mountaineering across snowfields, glaciers, rough scree, boulder fields and alpine meadows to cross Ball Pass and Mabel Col and descend via Cove Stream to Husky Flat.

If starting from Ball Hut, it is recommended to camp near Ball Pass or take a slight detour to the “Playing Fields” to camp before crossing Mabel Col. Early and late season conditions are often very icy on southern aspects below Ball Pass and on the approach to Mabel Col.

<b>Guided alpine trek:</b> enjoy this mountain adventure with the knowledge and skills of a professional IFMGA / NZMGA mountain guide on Alpine Recreation's Ball Pass Crossing. https://alpinerecreation.com/ballpasscrossing.html

Difficulty

Extreme

Scrambling up mountains and along technical trails with moderate fall exposure. Handholds are necessary to navigate the trail in its entirety, although they are not necessary at all times. Some obstacles can be very large and difficult to navigate, and the grades can often be near-vertical. The challenge of the trail and the steepness of the grade results in very strenuous hiking. Hikes of this difficulty blur the lines between "hiking" and "climbing".