Clothing and equipment

Sleeping bags, tramping boots, food and adequate clothing (warm and waterproof) for all weathers is required. Small tramping stoves for food preparation in the huts must be carried.

The Mt Somers Track climbs from 400  to 1170 metres and is exposed for much of the track. Snow can be experienced at any time of the year at these altitudes on Mt Somers and trampers must be prepared for this.

Food

Food is available for purchase at stores at Mount Somers Store and Staveley. Milk, bread, tinned and dehydrated food, drinks, etc are available.

Location

The Mt Somers Track is in the Mt Somers Conservation Area in the Foothills of Mid Canterbury. 

The village of Staveley is a 75 minute car drive from Christchurch, 30 minutes from Ashburton and 15 minutes from Methven. Staveley is on the Inland Scenic Route 20km south of Mt Hutt.

Mt Somers is a distinctive mountain especially when viewed from the north and east (as seen from Christchurch).  It is at the southern end of the Foothills Range with a cone-shaped profile suggesting its volcanic origin.

Facilities and Services

The villages of Mount Somers and Staveley are near the two entrances to the Mt Somers Track.  Mt Somers is 8 km from the Coalminers Flat picnic area and car park at Woolshed Creek at the southern entrance. Staveley is 3 km from the Sharplin Falls carpark and picnic area at the northern entrance.

Mount Somers village has a wide variety of services - general store, NZ Post agency, petrol, garage, camping ground, holiday park, hotel, motel and restaurant.  Staveley village has a general store, bed and breakfast,   homestay and farmstay accommodation.

Safety

The Mt Somers Track ranges from 400 to nearly 1200 metres altitude. It traverses country which experiences highly variable and sometimes extreme weather conditions. Snow can fall at any time of the year on the higher parts of the Track and make tramping very difficult. Seek local knowledge, go prepared for all conditions

Trampers should:

• carry clothing suitable for all weather conditions
• have good wet weather gear
• wear sturdy tramping boots
• be self sufficient for food, cooking and eating utensils
• have briefed themselves on the nature of the tramp - carry a map, compass and first aid kit (including antihistimine)
• not attempt to cross streams which are swollen or flooded after heavy rain
• take care near trees after extreme weather conditions such as snow or high winds
• watch out for wasps - especially between January and May.

Fitness level

The Mt Somers Track is:

• marked track but not often benched
• may be steep and rough in places
• some unbridged waterways
• boots advisable
• moderate to good fitness level required
• in some places there is no formed track
• back country "sense" required