Route guide / Ohau / Ben Ohau Range

Kaimakamaka Peaks, Ben Ohau Range

A wind-affected spring heli objective with intermediate Irishman Stream terrain and steeper couloir options on the Kaimakamaka headwalls.

By JMR Published 2019-09-11 Reviewed 2026-04-28
1 day Ski mountaineering HeliFoot
Duration1 day
DifficultySki mountaineering
AccessHeli / Foot
SeasonSpring
AspectIrishman Stream, east drainage, south face and couloirs
AvalancheMt Cook / Ohau context
Historical route information only.

Conditions, access, snowpack, roads, huts, and permissions can change quickly. Check current sources before committing.

Structured overview

Route summary

Kaimakamaka is described as a peak with rocky knuckles and steep parallel couloirs.

Irishman Stream and the drainage east of point 2392 provide good intermediate terrain.

The Irishman Stream headwall and the south face of Kaimakamaka offer steeper ski-mountaineering lines around 45-50 degrees.

The original party toured around Irishman Stream, crossed toward point 2392, and skied from the summit of Kaimakamaka Peak.

Access notes

The original report used a quick helicopter flight from Glentanner to a landing site south of point 2392.

Mobile coverage is reported as good across most of the area, making pickup coordination feasible.

A ski/walk out is possible down the valley east of point 2392 to a 4WD track and road.

Safety notes

The area is heavily wind affected; expect wind-affected snow unless conditions align well.

Some couloirs include rock steps that may require rappels and should be treated as ski-mountaineering terrain.

The ski/walk exit valley east of point 2392 chokes around 1600 m and has bluffs; the original author suggests the true-right line for a section near 40 degrees.