Nigel Barrett on Mt Manukau

If there was ever any doubt about how waterproof and how amazingly breathable Páramo gear is, let me extinguish all doubt now and evermore. You see, last September, I happened to be in the place and at a time where all the claims of waterproofness and breathability were put to the ultimate test.

The target for the weekend was Mt Manukau, the highest peak in the Seaward Kaikoura range. It rises sharply from the nearby coast, reaching an impressive 2608m above sea level. It is bucket list peak for many, including yours truly and my climbing mate Jonas.

Leaving home at 3:30am on Saturday morning and driving for 3 hours in rain, the plan was to walk the Hapuku river for 5hrs to the start of the climb to Stace saddle and ascend Surveyor Ridge to 1600m or 1900m depending on daylight and tiredness.

We started walking just on daybreak with clearing skies, a cool 6 0C and high spirits. I found my Cambia long sleeve top in “warming mode” just perfect as I plied my way up the river bed, 20+ Kgs on my back, rock “hopping” and sidling slips and gorges to reach the access point to Surveyor ridge. Having ascended some 900 vertical meters it was time to get the Billy on, while we lunched and changed into our boots.

Lower Hapuku River. Wearing old sneakers for river travel and carrying alpine boots is a common strategy even though it adds extra weight and requires care to not roll ankles, slip or bruise feet on rocks.

Being an eternal optimist I rigged up a clothes line out of driftwood and hung up my shoes and socks to dry for my arrival back tomorrow afternoon. It’s a 300m height gain to Stace saddle, pushing through the still wet tussock and scrub, as there is no track to follow, my dry boots lasted all of fifteen minutes. Turns out my gaiters are not the waterproof type. Sadly before we could reach the 1100m saddle, blue skies gave way to encroaching cloud and drizzle. I was hopeful of seeing the lake that formed after the huge landside that came down during the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, but that never eventuated as the weather had arrived and set in for the weekend.

At Stace Saddle aside from cloud and mist there was saturated scrub and bush ahead of us, it was time to get the analogy waterproofs and put them to work. The Enduro Jacket went over my now wet cambia top, and the Enduro Tour Trousers over my wet leggings.

Enduring the mist and wet bush while climbing 500 vertical meters under heavy load. A true test of waterproof and breathability

 

 

 

 

Bracing myself for a flood of cold & wet pushing through this saturated bush. My apprehension turned to joy as I realised no water was coming through and I was staying dry and comfortable, for the first time ever

We climbed for 5 hours in this weather and not only did the Enduro Jacket and trousers keep me dry from the rain, snow and vegetation, there was no sweat condensation and my Cambia top and leggings actually dried out. This has NEVER happened to me before. It was just one of those moments of revelation in life, I never have to be wet, cold and miserable again. I could just enjoying being out in the mountains and trust my Páramo gear to work.

Surveyor ridge is a steep climb, and it is exacerbated by active slips and frequent rock fall. Deep fissures on the ridge line are everywhere, I assume to be enduring scars of the earthquake 8 years prior. It was during this climb I started appreciating the “little things” about my Enduro clothing. The quiet hood, the freedom of movement of my arms, hook/loop cuffs, pit vents, pack compatible pockets were all needed, used and appreciated.

Climbing surveyor ridge as snow starts to fall. I’m not only dry and comfortable in my Enduro gear, but the freedom of movement and quiet fabric enables full focus on the steep climb.

We reached the 1600m mark after 10 hours walking and on fading light, and the call was made to set up camp. It has forever been my experience that I cool down rapidly after stopping. That was certainly the case for Jonas who was thoroughly wet. As for me, I had to unzip my jacket to prove to Jonas my cambia top was indeed dry. Proof given, I did not need to put anything extra on either, so set about melting snow for dinner and hot drinks as well as getting the tent pitched quickly so Jonas could climb in and get into dry gear and start warming up.

 

A below average tent site. It provided shelter of sorts, but the rain & snow got into our sleeping gear overnight

It was not a great night, the rain, snow and hail pelted us and found its way through the tent wall. A 3am water boil was needed for a makeshift hot water bottle to keep Jonas warm. I slept with my Torres Alturo on, feeling guilty about how warm and cozy I was. The morning came slowly, and the weather had not improved. Normally putting wet gear back on is a moment of misery, but since I was dry from the day before, the jacket and trousers were a non-event but frozen socks and boots kept things real.

We ascended to the 2000m mark, and finally made it above the cloud for some rewarding views. After 5 hours climbing over icy rock and snow we reached a 2200m sub peak. Manukau was still another 4 hours away. Given we still had to return to camp, pack up and head back to the car we were not going to summit this time. We quickly took “summit pics”, I popped my Torres Alturo on while I had something to eat, then packed it away and we started our descent back to camp.

Climbing Upper Surveyor Ridge, finally emerging from the cloud

 

 

 

Mt Manukau finally comes into view. Time for a posed picture

 

 

 

 

2200m sub peak “Summit Shot”

Camp was still in the mist and drizzle, so it was a quick pack up. Poor Jonas had significant weight from his wet clothes and sleeping bag. We left camp for the car at about 2:30pm. The mist, drizzle and rain did not stop the whole way down. But again my Enduro gear handled it without fault, even pushing through the well saturated bush, tussock and scrub was no problem. By the time we reached the bottom of Stace saddle and were back on the river bed, it was 5pm and we had another 4 ½ hours ahead of us. I left my Páramo gear on, and just used the ventilation options as needed while walking down the Hapuku river, darkness descending on us with 2 hours still to go. We reached the car tired and ready for something greasy to eat.

I couldn’t be more impressed with the performance of my Enduro Jacket and Trousers, and I am sure this extends to all of the Nikwax Analogy waterproof garments. I suffer significantly from excessive sweat, even in the cold, and sweat condensation always wets out my base and insulation layers. Not once did this occur during the 10 hours on Saturday, 12 hours Sunday, ascending 2200m, and carrying a heavy pack in the rain and snow.

I also discovered that being dry enabled me to effectively temperature regulate, rather than being cold and constantly trying to warm up.

Never, ever, have I owned a jacket that has kept me dry, but now that I have Páramo, never again will I have a jacket that doesn’t.

Nigel Barrett

14, 15 September 2024