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Castle Hill Siege! 21-Jul-2005 At 2:49:07 PM gemmaw

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Quantum Field and Spittle Hill are excellent - there's so much to do even if you spent the whole week just at these 2 areas. You need to get landholder permission to climb at some of the other areas. Flock Hill was closed when I was there late last year but I believe it is open again - it's also supposed to be excellent, although also need to get permission.

This website is good for info on the areas, accomodation, etc.
http://www.tota.co.nz/castlehill/index.html

A car is definately the way to go. Castle Hill is less than 2 hrs drive from Christchurch so it's easy to get a car there and drive to Castle Hill. Then you can go back and forth from the Craigieburn Forest camping area which is a nice little spot, and it's free, so what you spend on hiring a car you can save on accomodation at the Homestead which is probably where you'd have to stay if you didn't have a car.

September is not a high cost season so you can probably get a car for about $20 or 25/day. Check the net bacause we got a little campervan in September for only $30/day - it was soooooo nice!

It's also a good time of year to go - it's still reasonably cold so friction is good. Be prepared for all weather - we had sunshine, hail and snow all in one day when we were there in Sept. The rock dries pretty quick if it rains though.

Ooooohh I want to go, just thinking about it! The bouldering is so different to anything else. It takes a while to get used to it but each day more seems possible, and you use every single muscle in your body. I love it there!!

And a guide is unnecessary (they're too damn expensive anyway) - just jump on whatever looks good. You'll be so engrossed with the place you won't even look at it.