Mt Richardson RippaIntermediate
Submitted by Meg Mason
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushOpen ridges/tops
Intermediate
3:00 (Slow)
2:15 (Moderate)
1:30 (Fast)
-14.5%
+16.5%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
Head clockwise up the Richardson track to the top of Mt Richardson, along the ridge on the aptly named Blowhard Track and down the Bypass Track and the Waterfall Track. The Richardson track is a bit of an uphill slog but not long. Blowhard is lovely but windy (cold!) and semi-flat to the Bypass track down. Most of the Bypass track is easy but gets steepish towards the bottom with a nice walk out along the waterfall track. Was cold at the top with around 10 degrees difference in temp. Could be very muddy after rain, snow possible in winter.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Grand views from the top and ridge across north Canterbury to Pegasus Bay and back over Lees Valley to the Alps.
Make Up of Run
Untracked / Route only: 0%
Technical Single Track: 10%
Moderate Single Track: 60%
Easy Single Track: 30%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate Strava activity for each

Blow Hard and back
Length: 23.00km
Photos:
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Access
Track starts and ends at the picnic area on Glentui Bush Road. Picnic area is 4km from the turn off on Ashley Gorge Road, north of Oxford.
Plenty of parking at the picnic area. There is also camping and a long drop toilet available. It is a dead end road, so very quiet.
16 km
16 minutes
Yes
No
-
Staying Safe
Easy.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .
Keep left as heading up the Richardson track - markers were missing near the start. Tracks are well signposted at the main points otherwise.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
None noticed. May be available at the picnic area at the bottom.
Muddy after rain. Very cold and exposed on top if windy. Possiblilty of snow and ice in winter.
Mud, slippery roots, steep climbs, snow and ice.
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See other runs nearby:
Coopers Creek - Ryde Falls loop
Mt Thomas via Ridge Track
Mt Oxford - Wharfdale Track
Mt Oxford Half
Oxford Odyssey Marathon Route
Mt Thomas Grunt
Mount Oxford Summit Scramble
Blow Hard and back
Mt Thomas Routes and Ridges
Youngman Stream - Tarn Hut Loop
Mt Thomas Direct!
Glentui Waterfall Loop
Mt Thomas Forest Loop