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Tracks & walks

Ball Pass Crossing

Canterbury region

Tasman Glacier by moon light, Mount Cook National Park.

Tasman Glacier by moon light, Mount Cook National Park

Canterbury region.

Ball Pass Crossing is a demanding two to three-day alpine route, crossing the Mount Cook Range between the Hooker and Tasman Valleys. The route provides spectacular views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, Mt Sefton, the Copland Pass and the Hooker and Tasman Glaciers.

The trip can be started from either valley but, for safety reasons and in order to gain the best views, the recommended route is to start at the White Horse Hill camping area and travel up the East Hooker, over Ball Pass (sidling around under Mounts Rosa and Mabel) and down the Ball Ridge to the Tasman Valley and Ball Hut.

Alert/Important notice

Ball Pass is best attempted between the months of December to March. Snow cover limits travel outside this season, and avalanches can occur at any time of the year.

Features

Ball Flat camping area is located on the edge of the Tasman Glacier moraine, where Ball Glacier meets the Tasman Glacier.

Track description

Track guide for the Ball Pass Crossing.

Places to stay

Find out about huts and camping areas on the Ball Crossing.

Plan & prepare

Find out what you need to bring and what you need to know before tackling the Ball Pass Crossing.

Highlights:

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a rugged land of ice and rock, with 19 peaks over 3,000 metres including New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Guides and commercial tourism providers

Find businesses that are DOC-approved to provide activities and services for the Ball Pass Crossing.

Find out more

Publications

Walks in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park (PDF, 622K)

Walks in Aoraki Mt Cook brochure Japanese version (PDF, 3180K)

Walks for families in Canterbury brochure (PDF, 1820K)

Weather

Maps

New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres

Learn more

Track category definitions

Plan and prepare for your trip

Stop the spread of didymo
Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.

Safety

Follow the Outdoor Safety Code:
1. Plan your trip
2. Tell someone
3. Be aware of the weather
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies

Safety alerts for Canterbury tracks

Contacts

Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Visitor Centre
Phone:	+64 3 435 1186
Address:	1 Larch Grove Aoraki/Mt Cook
Email:
Full office details

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