New Zealand Landscapes

Lake Hope and 2090m, Hector Mountains

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North Canterbury in Landscape

Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass — Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass
Basin Creek in shadow, and the Libretto Range beyond.

Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass — Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass
The Libretto Range. We've done a couple of good walks here - Travers Peak and Faust/Mephistopheles.

The Apprentice from Lewis Pass — The Apprentice from Lewis Pass
Mt Technical from the summit of The Apprentice (1678m).

Kaikoura Coast Track

Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park — Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park
Nice colours on the way up.

The Apprentice from Lewis Pass — The Apprentice from Lewis Pass
The big tarn was still frozen.

Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass — Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass
Almost down off the ridge.

Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass — Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass
I quite liked this lump of two unnamed peaks, with a couple of wee tarns down there.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
Interesting fungus.

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
The view from just a bit past Gables End (1592m). Uwerau (2213m) in the middle.

Patutu Route, Canterbury — Patutu Route, Canterbury
A panorama looking north.

Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ — Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ
This may have been the biggest tarn.

Patutu Route, Canterbury — Patutu Route, Canterbury
The ridge to Balance Rock.

Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ — Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ
Sophia backed by the Spencer Mountains and Cannibal Gorge/ Maruia River Right Branch.

Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area — Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Are
Mt Princess from point 1906m.

Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass — Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass
On our way down, with the Lewis River and Highway 7 / Lewis Pass Road down below.

Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass — Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass
Moody light to the south-west.

Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area — Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area
The view of the south west ridge, my route up. It looked more spectacular in real life.

Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass — Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass
We decided to take the ridge down from 1740m. A bit of a scramble but nice views. We camped at the higher of the two tarns.

Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park — Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park
I liked this rocky spur.

Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass

Patutu Route, Canterbury — Patutu Route, Canterbury
A big panorama south taken just below the summit.

Travers Peak via Foleys Track, Lewis Pass — Travers Peak via Foleys Track, Lewis Pass
Mossy beech forest.

The Apprentice from Lewis Pass — The Apprentice from Lewis Pass
One Mile Creek

Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass — Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass
Dappled light over peaks to the SW.

Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area — Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area
Lake Guyon

Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area — Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area
One of the more epic images I've taken.

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
Looking back towards Gable and Mt Fyffe as storm clouds closed in. We got a dousing.

Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ — Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ
Very green.

Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area — Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area
A clear shot of Princess Bath, completely frozen and covered in snow.

The Apprentice from Lewis Pass — The Apprentice from Lewis Pass
Very colourful vegetation just above the treeline.

Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass — Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass
A panorama to the west.

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
A panorama of Kaikoura Flats and Kaikoura Point.

Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass — Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass
Mt Technical from the summit of Mt Norma (1722m).

Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park — Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park
A panorama looking north east from the summit (or at least nearby).

Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ — Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ
Another look at the panorama north, this one in clearer weather.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
Another couple of very cool tarns.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
One of the friendly locals. We had a robin join us at the start, and then again on our way down. They are very charming as they flit around in silence, perhaps hoping for food.

Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass — Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass
Sophia on the summit of Norma, with the Spencer Mountains in the distant background.

Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range — Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range
Loved the colours and patterns of these plants.

Travers Peak via Foleys Track, Lewis Pass — Travers Peak via Foleys Track, Lewis Pass
Sophia and me on the summit.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
The view back towards the start.

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
A last look at the views west before heading back down into forest.

Patutu Route, Canterbury — Patutu Route, Canterbury
The Seaward Kaikoura Range taken from the summit of Patutu (1162m).

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
Such great colours, and unusual to have such contrasting coloured tarns right next to each other.

The Apprentice from Lewis Pass — The Apprentice from Lewis Pass
The Libretto Range

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
The funkiest of the funky tarns on Faust. Some alliteration there to brighten your day.

Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area — Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area
Sophia backed by Smyths Stream Valley.

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
Moody views over Kaikoura Peninsula from a lookout on the way up.

The Apprentice from Lewis Pass — The Apprentice from Lewis Pass
Mt Technical

Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range — Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range
Getting close to the summit.

Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass — Mt Technical, Lucretia & The Apprentice, Lewis Pass
The summit up on the left.

Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range — Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range
I liked this mountain Maukuratawhai (1615m), which looked quite climable only it's on the other side of the Clarence River.

Nina Valley to Nina Hut, Lake Sumner Forest Park

Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area — Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area
Leaving Mt Princess (2126m).

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
Looking along the Libretto Range.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
A panorama taking in four of the funky tarns below the summit of Faust.

Travers Peak via Foleys Track, Lewis Pass — Travers Peak via Foleys Track, Lewis Pass
Nice beech forest on Foleys Track.

Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area — Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area
Nice lighting on our way back as the sun came out properly for the first time since early morning.

Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park — Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park
Sophia backed by scenery we got a closer look at from up Mt Charon a couple of days earlier.

Kaikoura Coast Track — Kaikoura Coast Track
A seal near our accommodation on the first night.

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
Heading off to Gables End (roughly centre of picture, somewhat camouflaged amongst other mountains, from the summit of Mt Fyffe.

Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park — Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park
Looking west.

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
I think this shot fit in the most ridges, spurs, rock, trees and tussock of the day. The Seaward Kaikoura Range topping out at Manakau (2608m; on the right with snow).

Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ — Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ
Looking west down the Maruia River.

Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass — Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass
Sophia looking up at the summit of Mt Norma from point 1642m.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
The Sylvia Tops in the centre. The Nina Valley to the right. Our first walk in the area was on the Nina Valley Track.

Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area — Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area
Approaching the summit of Mt Clara.

Nina Valley to Nina Hut, Lake Sumner Forest Park — Nina Valley to Nina Hut, Lake Sumner Forest Park
Probably the most picturesque spot on the walk.

Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range — Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range
Looking back down to Jacks Pass and the Clarence River Valley.

The Apprentice from Lewis Pass — The Apprentice from Lewis Pass
Above the treeline.

Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range — Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range
We drove up the Clarence River Valley the next day as far as Lake Tennyson. Viewed here with the help of my telephoto lens.

Kaikoura Coast Track — Kaikoura Coast Track
The cliffs were a highlight of day 1.

Nina Valley to Nina Hut, Lake Sumner Forest Park — Nina Valley to Nina Hut, Lake Sumner Forest Park
A clearing containing Nina Hut, and our turnaround point.

Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass — Mt Norma Route, Lewis Pass
An unnamed stream draining the southern slopes of Mt Norma.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
A close up of those tarns.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
The view east from the summit of Faust (1710m).

Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range — Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range
Ghost Gully centre, which joins the Styx River coming from the left, and then the Clarence River, which runs left to right here. Maukuratawhai to the right.

Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area — Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area
The upper Waiau Toa / Clarence Valley.

Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range — Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range
Looking east.

Travers Peak via Foleys Track, Lewis Pass — Travers Peak via Foleys Track, Lewis Pass
Looking east from the nearby peak to the summit.

Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area

Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area — Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area
Steep terrain.

The Apprentice from Lewis Pass — The Apprentice from Lewis Pass
The Freyberg Range

Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ — Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ
I liked this aesthetic. I would like to know what the mountain at the back was. Being covered in snow possibly exaggerated its apparent height.

The Apprentice from Lewis Pass

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
Sophia backed by the Seaward Kaikoura Range. Looking south-west from nearby Gable (1585m).

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
Nice clouds from a lookout early on in the walk.

Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range — Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range
From the summit of Dumblane (1303m), or at least quite nearby.

Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park — Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park
Sophia doing one of her signature poses on a our way down.

Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park — Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass, Hanmer Forest Park
I liked the topography here.

Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ — Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ
On our way down here.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
Looking north-west.

Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ — Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ
Mt Technical at the back.

The Apprentice from Lewis Pass — The Apprentice from Lewis Pass
Interesting afternoon light on the Freyberg Range.

Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range — Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range
Me on a knob, where I took a few photos. Sophia took this on the summit of Mt Charon.

Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range — Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range
So colourful.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
Possibly the biggest of the tarns. It was a very calm day and you can kind of see that in this picture.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
There was another of these red and green tarn combinations.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
A panorama looking north-west.

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
One of those big Speargrass flowers up close.

Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area — Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area
A panorama looking south from the summit.

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
Mist coming up the mountain being flattened by the strong winds coming from the left. Pretty cool effect.

Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range — Dumblane and Mt Charon, Hanmer Range
Sophia on the summit of Dumblane (1303m). Looking north here.

Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area

Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ — Lewis Tops Route, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Canterbury NZ
The first of the tarns and the Libretto Range.

Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area — Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area
The view of Mt Princess from point 1906m. Pretty impressive.

Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area — Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area
The Princess Stream, or perahps already the Clarence River, near the start. Our target, Mt Princess (2106m), is at the back.

Travers Peak via Foleys Track, Lewis Pass — Travers Peak via Foleys Track, Lewis Pass
Very snowy to the north-west.

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
A close up of that mist: it had just stopped raining so I was able to get my mirrorless camera out again.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
Sophia backed by Mephistopheles.

Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area — Mt Princess ascent, St James Conservation Area
Looking back at Mt Princess in the afternoon.

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
Mephistopheles poking out at the back on the right.

Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area — Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area
The view east from the summit of Mt Clara (1945m).

Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass — Faust & Mephistopheles, Lewis Pass
A panorama north.

Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area — Mt Clara via Fowlers Pass, St James Conservation Area
Sophia looking cool somewhere between Mt Pickett and Mt Clara.

Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura — Mt Fyffe & Gables End, Kaikoura
Looking down the mountain to the east. It was proper raining, and I had to use a waterproof pouch for my phone to get this shot. Not a bad result.