Brow Peak via Big Hill Saddle (winter), near Arrowtown NZ
The wrinkly mountains and valleys at the back of Arrowtown are a highlight of this walk up Brow Peak (1456m).
This walk up Brow Peak (1456m) was a real find for me when I first did it in the summer of 2018/19. A really high quality walk that I hadn’t done yet, just out the back of Arrowtown, and so only about 25 minutes drive from Queenstown. At that time I started the walk in the afternoon, finishing not much before dusk. The fading light cast shadows over numerous wrinkly mountains and valleys, which made for excellent views on the way back in particular. In winter you pretty much get this lighting all day, plus some snow to top it all off (literally).
So I took a few too many photos again, which justifies another post. If you want to see what it all looks like in summer, albeit later in the day, then you can view the original post.
Brow Peak via Big Hill Saddle (in winter)
A frosty start. This part of Arrowtown is in a bit of a shadow so it was bloody cold.The track runs along Bush Creek.They have a wilding pine tree problem around Arrowtown.I was a bit slow to get my camera out and would have preferred to get this hot air balloon more in the centre of the mountains. Nice enough shot though. Double and Single Cone peaks of the Remarkables behind.
On the Big Hill Track here.Approaching Big Hill Saddle, where we began the climb towards Brow Peak.The view from Big Hill Saddle.
I loved these knife edge ridges. Mountains are a never ending source of fascinating natural aesthetics.After the steep climb up onto the ridge it flattens out until another steep section near to the summit.Looking towards Brow Peak.Deep Creek Valley in the foreground and what I presume are peaks of the Southern Alps in the background.Brow Peak. I liked the chunky shapes and deep shadows in this shot.A false summit here that is somewhat camouflaged in my other photos. The actual summit is bit further on and is less pointy. You might be able to see Sophia to the right of some rocks on the upper right of the picture.Looking back along the ridge towards Big Hill Saddle (on he left).
Sophia on the summit of Brow Peak (1456m).I loved the wrikled shapes and washed out colours in this shot.Chunky mountains to the north east. Possibly Mt Soho, although I didn’t take enough notice of the direction at the time so not sure.
The Wakatipu Basin.
This ridge is steep on the south side, but in normal weather there’s never any real exposure to worry about.No prizes for guessing which is the south side of this ridge.Sophia in the foreground for scale.
My attempt at an artistic shot.Lake Harris and the Remarkables as the sun went down.
