Mt Aurum, NZ - First Descent Video

When you really have a proper adventure, when shit's getting real and you're at your limit in more ways than one, that's when you really want photos or some video,  just some sort of imagery, a vivid record to reflect on later.

The route we took from the Summit of Mt Aurum. Photo: Jeremy Lyttle

But that's the thing. In times like that of real urgency, where you are suffering just trying to get through there is NO moment to pull out a camera, there are are no photos or videos because you have had to ditch any actions that arn't essential to getting you out of the shituation you are in. You have had to focus entirely on the task at hand - in this case, walking 12 km of unknown terrain and wadding through a river 60 times in the pitch black with a fading head torch.

So, I have very little imagery from the "good" parts of this trip, I did, however, get some snippets of "C" rate disjointed POV footage that I have tried to put together to explain those first 12 hours... 

The plan was not to ski the South Face, the plan was the East Face, but when we got close it looked like The South Face could be on. Burley but but possible.

Below the video is the link to the published article in NZ Skier Magazine, some still images from the trip including some not included in the published article and a map of the route we took.

It's funny how the trips where you suffer most seem to be the ones you look back on the fondest... Because after all, this still remains one of my favourite missions.

See the published article in NZ Skier Magazine below:

click to read the NZ Skier Article about the trip

Below is a map of the trip, zoom and click to see more details and images.

See some images below, some of which have not been published.

Old relics from the real hard bastards that setup the first power station in NZ at Dynamo Hut

Dynamo Hut in the morning sun before we walked out in the rain

Jeremy's brief words modestly sum up the trip

Gear ready and waiting by the door of the Dynamo Hut

Jeremy stoked, pointing at the line we had just skied

Jeremy tours beneath the South Face, it was then we had a feeling it might be on 

A satisfied but unplanned evening back in the Dynamo hut after skiing the South Face

Pete just reaching the summit of Mt Aurum. Photo: Jeremy Lyttle

Jeremy and Pete on the Summit of Mt Aurum 2245m

The 12km walk out back across the 60 river crossing in the rain to where the Corolla was waiting

The Corolla "The Land Rolla" making easy work of a sloppy drive out of Skippers Canyon

Thanks to NZ Skier Magazine for publishing our adventure, Sophie and Sarah for coming to look for us & Jono & Georgie for one of the best spas and beers I have ever had after we got back.