Geomorphology of the New Zealand Southern Alps

Details

Date: 7 February – 12 February (with option to end in Queenstown on 9 February)
Departs from: Christchurch
Ends: Queenstown on 9 February or Christchurch on 12 February
Fieldtrip leaders: Associate Professor Peter Almond (Soil Science, paleo climate and Quaternary geomorphology), Dr Sam McColl (hillslope and alpine geomorphology), Professor Ian Fuller (fluvial and applied geomorphology) + unnamed PhD student
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST):
Option 1, 3 days approx $1700 per person
Option 2, 6 days approx $2400 per person

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Description

This 3- or 6-day tour of the Southern Alps takes in a wide cross-section of world-class mountain geomorphology. The full trip is six days and starts and returns to Christchurch. For those short on time, there is a shorter three day option that ends in Queenstown (which has an international airport). The tectonically-active Southern Alps, perpendicular to a very humid prevailing westerly air flow, experiences some of the world’s fastest rates of uplift and erosion, and captures a remarkable record of Quaternary landscape changes in its diverse landform assemblages. Moreover, its active processes result in a challenging array of natural hazards, from earthquake-triggered landslides, to debris flow and alluvial fan hazards, to very dynamic and flood-prone river systems. In a circuit that crosses the alps twice, the tour takes in a range of geomorphic and climatic domains, with opportunities to visit key research sites and fantastic sight-seeing.

Start: 8.30 am Saturday 7th Feb from Te Pae Convention Centre, Christchurch;

Finish: Either: 7.30 pm Thursday 12th Feb in Christchurch; Or 7.30 pm on Monday 9th Feb in Queenstown (near to Queenstown International Airport).

Note: we discourage booking onward travel for the final day (Day 3 or Day 6) of the field trip, in case of later-than-expected arrival at our destination. We encourage you to arrange your own accommodation for the night you finish the fieldtrip (i.e. if you doing the half trip and ending your trip in Queenstown on Day 3, you will need to book accommodation in Queenstown for Monday 9th Feb; if you are doing the full 6-day trip, you will need to book accommodation in Christchurch on Thursday 12th Feb).

Duration: Either: 5 nights / 6 days for the full trip; Or 2 nights / 3 days for the half-trip.

Fitness and field expectations: Easy hiking on well formed tracks, of up to 3 hours. Some hill walking with steps. Some rough terrain (e.g. on natural terrain such as alluvial fans).

What to bring:

• Hiking shoes or light hiking boots
• Wet weather gear (i.e. for torrential rain!)
• Warm clothing
• Sun protection (sunhat, sunscreen)
• Walking pole if you usually use when hiking
• Personal medication
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries etc

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