Sunday, July 6, 2008

Last Days

David says...
Well, now that I'm back home, the New Zealand adventure is over...for now.
Enjoy these last looks.
Take care to all,
ka kite
David

Did not predict the beauty of our last day

Tussock and glaciers shimmer in the morning sun


On the road again

New Zealand doesn't get any more classic

Huts

Hamilton Hut, a true backcountry palace

Walk-the-wire


The just slightly worn West Harper hut

The cozy (cold) Lagoon Saddle shelter

Dusk in Arthur's realm

Mt. Hamilton

Crazy summit antics

The flat top of Mt Hamilton

Canterbury beyond, see the clouds meet the sea

Essence of mountains

Fresh scree ski powder below!

Cass Saddle

The first of many candlelight dinners

Firebuilding skills put to the test


Above the clouds at Cass Saddle

It's your move, mate

It's steep, let's leave it at that

Arthur's Pass Hut Tour

Why won't someone give this sweet girl a ride?

Fittingly, Julie reads Canterbury Tales aloud to pass the time


Climbers paradise at Castle Hill

Begin Act Two as we reach the track

Don't let the blur fool you, Cass Hut is a gem

Arthur's Pass National Park

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Down again

East of the Divide towards Pukaki

Lake Pukaki and the miniscule Mt Cook village

Fly down upon a kea's wings

Waiting for the open road to come to me

Aoraki again

The precariously perched Copland shelter overlooking the Hooker glacier far below

Aoraki, we meet again


Retrace the valley back to the Tasman Sea, 7000 ft later

MetService hit it on the money today

Copland Pass

The Pass over the Divide ahead, yet much effort remains

Companions of rock, snow, and ice


Might look chilly, but it is blazing hot work up here

Climbing the Divide between Copland and Fitzgerald Passes

Friday, July 4, 2008

Towards Copland

Mountains are elusive from the understory

An algae red stream feeds hot pools


Soaking the legs at dusk, later under the stars

Douglas Rock Hut, 1930

It shelters only me tonight

Morning towards Copland Pass

Official details

A Soloist's Divide

Strange clouds outside Alexandria give the adventure an air of mystery

The West Coast in all its ruggedness

Glaciers emerge from the sub-tropics even at the trailhead

New Zealand Silver Fern


Warning: limit capacity to one person