The Rabbit Pass Route - New Zealand (30/10/23 - 04/11/23)

[@valentinebick6616]

The waterfall face looks absolutely terrifying especially holding onto tussock!!! 😖 you must’ve been so relieved when it was finally done. Utmost respect!

[@fisher-y6c]

superb job

[@philipwilkie3239]

May 1981 two of us came down the Waterfall Face going on dark and very wet. Like you I got below the route, slipped and nearly died. Sweaty palms watching you - it's amazing how long the body holds onto memories like this.

[@entrancedbywilderness2793]

What a memory! I'm not sure if I am glad to have let you relive that memory haha! 😮😅 Something you never forget, that's for sure!

[@Timothy_Pitt]

Contra direction of a route with history of fatalities, out of season, mixed weather, filming, solo, and what's more, carrying canoe and paddles! Truly epic effort!

[@Capfka]

Did that route back in the 70s, but from the Wilkin to the Matukituki. I was going to give up when I saw the route up the waterfall, but my companions decided to give it a go, so I had to as well. Never again - I was a tramper, not a rock climber. You gave me the willies during the clamber down that cliff. Great video, nonethless and I look forward to more of them!

[@Timothy_Pitt]

That was intense

[@matthewcowell]

Haha! Definitely a gnarly one! 😂

[@terrymadams8591]

Knowing people have died going up the waterfall face it looked gnarly as coming down , I hadn't realized you also had the added weight of a packraft and paddle . Well done.

[@entrancedbywilderness2793]

I definitely underestimated how exposed it was, most backcountry gnarly stuff I do is easier than that. It's crazy, as it's a well travelled route. I can totally see how people have died there - you need a lot of patience and composure coming down it!

[@Stevecollinsclear]

I walked - the other way -in 2006. I remember making a nite to self "do NOT do this south to north : meaning ...'do not go DOWN waterfall face'

[@matthewcowell]

Yep, well I doubt I'll be heading down it again haha. Definitely keen to do it in reverse though!

[@eddydewilde4958]

Nice work Matt. No wonder you were behind schedule that was a heavy load and a lot of climbing.

[@matthewcowell]

It was indeed! 😂

[@danielnogueira6365]

Awesome video and adventure. Very brave of you to attempt this route at this time of the year and on the "opposite" direction of what's most recommended! That soft snow going up the pass didn't look very fun haha! I'm impressed of how you kept it calm and chill going down the waterfall face. Just a side note to anyone attempting this trip: unless you are super experienced in the mountains and want an extra challenge, I would definitely recommend doing the opposite direction! The Waterfall face is no joke and there have been multiple fatalities there. After going up it on a perfect summer day a few years ago my first thought was "I would never want to do this the opposite direction." Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@entrancedbywilderness2793]

Thanks for that great supporting comment Daniel! I've done some fairly gnarly stuff before, but that felt super exposed with the most minimal handholds if any. It made Gifford Crack look easy, but then, I didn't come down that one. Still, there was a lot more to hold on there. I don't think yhink I'm selling anyone on doing the waterfall face in this video anyway haha 😂 I hope it's as scary as it looks to people, only do it with high confidence for sure!

[@Stevecollinsclear]

can confirm

[@GR-sd4zw]

That descent was insane. With utmost respect I think good luck was essential unless the steepness was exaggerated by the video. Great courage & nerve!

[@entrancedbywilderness2793]

If anything, the steepness of the footage is understated, because it's a fisheye GoPro lens, which makes things look less steep generally. I wouldn't say luck was essential, I mean, it rained on me half way down (no footage of that part). I had my fair share of bad luck haha. There is enough to get you down, but it does require specific tussock or rock grabs to make each manoeuvre! Thanks for your comment! 😊

[@lechuck12]

Awesome video! Would hate to hike up that steep snow.

[@entrancedbywilderness2793]

Thanks! 😀 It's not so bad! Wasn't too much snow to climb!

[@lechuck12]

It's difficult to see the steepness coming down the hill at 19mins. I'm going to presume you just filmed it on flat ground for the video 😂

[@entrancedbywilderness2793]

It's pretty steep! Bascially a glacial carved cliff face haha. It's a known route, but definitely not an easy one!