Climb Epic Mt Somers
Canterbury views and mountain climbing
Mount Somers is a fantastic route for those keen to challenge themselves physically and be rewarded by our stunning New Zealand wild. This big, 20km walk is all about the views and will have you exposed to the mountain ranges of south-west Canterbury. Excellent for those who have done similar climbs and want to see what the locals do around here.
- A safe but challenging ascent up Mount Somers provides ridiculous, open views of the surrounding Canterbury region.
- The summit is a prime location to have a hot drink and some food after the scramble.
- Well-marked and maintained, but still bringing with it a sense of remote adventure.
- In the same location as my Woolshed Creek Adventures, but much, much higher up.
The phrase “off the beaten track” is thrown around plenty here in New Zealand, but those sorts of tours rarely provide a real challenge. Let’s change that. This full-day adventure offers 360-degree views over the Canterbury plains and big climbs so tall, you’ll see why we’re called ‘land of the long white cloud’.
Mount Somers is located pretty much smack bang in the centre of New Zealand’s largest region, Canterbury. The drive alone shows you plenty of what we’re all about here; mostly agriculture, skiing, and really good pies.
This day hike provides a chance to stretch your legs, meet plenty of fellow Kiwis, or keep to yourself and have moments to just look out at the epic views.
Stefan
I have travelled and hiked around the world, but there is no place like the South Island of New Zealand. My best memories have been out in the mountains on foot, skis, or raft. I want to share New Zealand's backcountry experience and explore our unique environment with others. I love to explore places that stay off the radar, whether it's countries few have heard of, or huts that only get a couple of visits a year. Finding unforgettable views, wildlife that rarely sees humans, and bush in its wild state has made a huge impression on me. Enjoying these places while conserving them and leaving them in better condition for the future is crucial. Come with me and discover remote and pristine valleys, mountains and bush. Plus, fall in love with backcountry hut life by the fire, bathtub or natural hot pools.
Experience
- Deep knowledge of local and regional backcountry as well as the West Coast.
- Has travelled Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Armenia, for personal travel that mixed multi day trips, day hikes, camping, huts, guesthouses, all up to 4000m.
Our plans for the day
I’ll be honest, this is a long day hike with stunning scenery along the way. You’ll want to be prepared to get up nice and promptly and then be ready for a good workout.
The track follows a rocky ridge and climbs steadily to a day shelter, before sidling up to the summit past jagged rhyolite cliffs and interesting rock formations. On Mt Somers, you can admire the Southern Alps and Canterbury plains – the perfect spot for lunch!
Weather is always changing up there, so we’ll ensure we have the right gear to enjoy it. However, my favourite time to head up is winter – it’s seriously beautiful up there especially if Canterbury has had some snow in the past days.
Gear
All tours require the proper gear to ensure you’re having the time of your life, and are well prepared if things go south. It’s the real and rugged New Zealand out there!
Required
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750ML Water Bottle
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Day Pack
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Hiking Boots
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Hiking Pants
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Rain Jacket
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Sunscreen & hat
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Top Base layer
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Torch & Batteries
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Warm hiking layer
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Whistle
Optional
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Cutlery & cup
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Hiking Socks
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Insect Repellent
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Lighter / Matches
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Personal First Aid Kit
Extras
There are add-on extras for this tour. These are the little things that’ll either make your Adventure easier to organise or more rugged - your choice. You can add these during the booking process.
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Photographs of Your Adventure
Want your Adventure captured in stunning, professional photos? We’ve got a Lensman (like Bushmen but with cameras) who will join you and capture all the best moments so you don’t have to.
+ $200 NZD
Q & A
Your Bushman has added a couple of answers to questions other Visitors have asked in the past to help you with your booking plans. Once you book a tour, you'll be in direct contact with your Bushman for more support.
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How fit do I have to be?
This is a big day on a challenging track, requiring a reasonable level of fitness. The final climb to the summit is steep and will have your legs burning, but fortunately, the gradual climb beforehand allows you to warm up.
There are also plenty of spots to rest and a day shelter before the last section leading to the top. If you have done some hill climbing before and can handle steep ascents, this is the adventure for you! We’ll take it steady and easy; there is no rush.
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I’m not a keen climber, but would still love to explore the area! Are there any other options?
What makes this spot so special is its size and opportunities. You can opt for an easy day trip on my nearby Woolshed Creek tour, an overnight (which shows you more of the area) and the full Mount Somers circuit over 3 days. The choice is yours! Whatever you do, we’ll make sure the right trip suits your needs.
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Is climbing a mountain like this dangerous?
New Zealand, although stunning, is full of risk when it comes to outdoors. Bushman Tours and I have more than average safety precautions in place, and we'll make sure we're all ready and confident before we begin. Luckily, this mountain is on the more accessible side and will be much safer than somewhere like Mount Cook!
FAQs
Here’s a few answers to the more general questions about the whole journey. You can visit our help and support area for any further information or contact us via the chat function.
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What is the refund and cancellation policy?
Bushman Tours sets a standard cancellation policy that can be found via our Terms & Conditions. This is globally set at 48 hours notice. However, Bushmen may add to this depending on the requirements for the Adventure (e.g. - hiring gear and renting equipment on your behalf). The final policy will be located at the bottom of the checkout, or you can reach out to us to check.
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What happens if the tour is cancelled due to weather?
In most cases, the Bushman can arrange another day to run your tour, but this also comes down to when you're available if travelling through New Zealand. We recommend ensuring you have insurance for cancellation of any tours. If the Bushman has to cancel due to a health risk, we will call you to arrange another option.
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What gear do I need?
Although we have a minimum requirement of gear, you will need the right equipment and gear that is relevant to the Adventure you're booking. This is usually found at the bottom of each tour page, but for our minimum, please visit our FAQs & blog page.
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Can I hire gear/equipment?
In some circumstances, your Bushman will have equipment for you to hire. This is available to browse and book through the checkout. We may also have options through our checkout. Although you may be able to borrow gear during the tour, it's important to reserve it now.
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What food shall I bring?
Depending on the length, this can vary. Your Bushman will advise on the tour page what is recommended for this particular Adventure, but typically, what we offer at checkout via the add-ons section is what you'll need. Keep it lightweight and nutritious if you buy your own.
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Where do I meet my Bushman?
We always try to pick the closest iSite (Visitor Centre) to your Adventure's location. Instructions on precisely where to meet are sent after the booking is made. However, you can also message your Bushman and arrange another location as long as it's close enough to the region.
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How much extra is it to add family/friends onto the booking?
If you book and find that more people want to come with you, we can arrange to add them onto the booking (this is dependant on the Bushman's preference to the number of people to take out). The more that book on the original checkout option, the cheaper the fee for each individual - so spread the word before you go to book! Please note, you cannot add or bring extra people 48 hours before the tour starts.
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Can I talk to my Bushman before the Adventure?
Absolutely! Once you book, you will be able to login and chat directly to your Bushman through a private, secure chat. Here you can arrange some extras you would like to do, timings for pick up and much more.
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Need more help?
In the area
Got a some spare days or need more inspiration? Check out similar Adventures in this region you can book with this one.
