New Zealand Landscapes

Lake Hope and 2090m, Hector Mountains

When in a gallery click on each thumbnail to view a full sized photo, orienting your mobile device to landscape or portrait as appropriate…

Return to the Landscapes homepage.

« back to album

Arthur's Pass in Landscape

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
We were descending down the Temple Basin Track in twilight when I looked back up and saw this scene. I don't own a tripod, so this, like all my shots, is handheld. I should have been a surgeon.

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park
If you come up the track next to Goat Creek you will enter this basin.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
View from the summit: I should have got my compass out to identify these peaks, but I'm afraid all I can say is they were roughly south.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
A panorama north-east.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park
Views south from the summit of Mt Barron (1730m).

Kellys Hill via Carroll Hut, Arthur's Pass — Kellys Hill via Carroll Hut, Arthur's Pass
Deception Valley and the Aicken Range.

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park — Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park
Sophia adding a bit of colour to this wintery scene.

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park — Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park
Sophia looking very alpine.

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park — Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park
A pano of those three tarns from the route along the tops. It drops down to the Taipo River, but I headed off to 1363m and then returned.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Sophia stopping for a rest, rather than posing for this photo, although I think it works as a posed photo.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park

Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass — Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass
A wider angle on those views from 1580m.

Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
A panorama south-west from the summit of Mt Bealey (1836m).

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park — Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park
Nice colours and light in the afternoon made up for losing higher peaks of the Southern Alps in cloud.

Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass — Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass
Views roughly south from 1580m. Loved the deep channels cut by Whaiti Stream.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
That valley again!

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Nice lighting.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
Sophia backed by Mt Stuart (or at least point 1835m - the summit is a bit out of view I think).

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
I liked this shot of Sophia on the ridge. One of those with a sense of scale.

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass — Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Sophia admiring the view.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Sophia on the edge of the cliff looks rather exposed. This looks a lot more precipitous here than I remembered it.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Mt Franklin was looking pretty awesome.

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Descending from Mt Cassidy to the saddle.

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park — Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park
A wider angle on that tarn, showing a bit more of the patchwork of shadows on the surrounding land. Perhaps unnecessary but sometimes I can't decide which photo to include and so use them both.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
View from the summit: panorama looking west. Mt Rolleston to the right, Avalanche Peak centre, and behind is the Jellicoe Ridge, although it's hard to tell these peaks apart from the ones in front.

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park — Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking back at some of the tarns in soft afternoon light.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
Sophia heading off back as I waited around for the cloud to clear and get a few shots. It's hard to leave a mountain without getting the views and the photos of those views.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking back at the red tinged summit. Sophia at bottom.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
View from the summit: panorama looking roughly south-east.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Mt Rolleston 2271m

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
Barrack Creek Valley. The mist clearing from Mt Rolleston on the right.

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass — Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
A pleasing panorama of the Waimakariri Valley (in mist), Mt Foweraker, The Pyramid, and Hawdon Valley.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Mt Franklin (2145m) centre left, and probably Mt Oates (2041m) to the right.

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park — Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park
Tara Tama and the Taipo Valley from point 1363m, which was my lunch spot and turnaround point.

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park
Atmosphere shot. To get these views you have to keep south as you descend from 1569m.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking west. From left to right (roughly): Purple Hill, Lake Pearson, Craigieburn Range, Sugarloaf, Dark Range, Waimakariri River, and various peaks in Arthurs Pass National Park, including Mt Bealey which we had climbed the day before.

Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass — Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass
Worsley Pass down there.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
A pleasing panorama of Arthur's Pass National Park to the south-west.

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park — Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking up at the head of Hunts Creek. I love these high country valleys. They look so wild and remote.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Our return route was through this basin with two frozen tarns.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking towards Mt Bealey. That's on the to do list.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
A panorama of the Waimakariri Valley from the summit of Mt Binser, 1860m.

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass — Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
The Hawdon River joining the Waimakariri River. Descending back into forest at this point.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
This was the scene that awaited me as I poked my head up above the ridge to the summit. It was a fabulous sight. Mt Rolleston pictured.

Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass — Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass
Mt Armstrong (2110m)

Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass — Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass
Devils Punchbowl Creek. Blimit down the far end, which I climbed last year with Sophia. That's a great walk.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
The Crow Valley

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
A panorama east.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
The head of Punchbowl Creek. Mt Cassidy to the left, and Blimit centre left.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Sophia just a bit past point 1844m, with rugged cliffs leading down towards Devils Punchbowl Creek.

Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
The Bealey River down in the valley, and Mt Aicken to the left, which we climbed a few days later.

Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park — Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking out towards the West Coast down the Taramakau Valley. This fabulous tarn was the most northern and sat by itself.

Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park
Panorama south from the summit.

Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass — Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass
Panorama SW from the summit.

Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass — Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass
Mt Alexander (1958m) on the right, and I realised later Kellys Hill on the left, which we've climbed before.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park

Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass — Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass
Leaving the summit.

Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass — Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass
Navigating this bit was probably the hardest part of the route. I've included a marked photo in the track notes showing my route.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking down the Bealey Valley towards the Waimakiriri Valley.

Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass — Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass
First views of Mt O'Malley and the tarn. This was a nicer colour from other angles, as you'll see in photos to come.

Kellys Hill via Carroll Hut, Arthur's Pass — Kellys Hill via Carroll Hut, Arthur's Pass
Taken just before we dropped back down to the hut.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
The sub-alpine scrub at maybe 900-1000m of elevation.

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park — Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park
Lush forest near the start. It wasn't quite as nice higher up.

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park — Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park
A panorama looking east as we climbed above the hut.

Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass — Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass
Looking up the Taramakau River with Lake Kaurapataka and the Otehake River in the midground.

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass — Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
The Hawdon Valley

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Sophia on Blimit, with Phipps Peak and Mt Temple to the right. You can also see a cloud inversion over on the West Coast.

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park — Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park
A very snowy scene.

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass — Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Andrews Valley

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Sophia on the summit of Blimit (1921m)

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Sophia descending from Blimit.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Mt Rolleston in the background.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
Our second lunch spot on point 1578m. Sophia waited here for me to take pictures at the summit and on the ridge as the cloud cleared.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Sophia on Mt Cassidy (1850m), backed by Mt Rolleston.

The Dome ascent, Arthur's Pass — The Dome ascent, Arthur's Pass
Fabulous layers, colours and light viewed from the summit.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Sophia with Devils Punchbowl Creek Valley behind. I loved the look of this valley so much that I returned two days later to climb Mt Aicken, to the right in this shot, just so I could get a good look up this valley. That was an equally good walk with almost nobody on the route.

Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass — Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass
I was very satisfied with the cloud inversion. That's Mt Rolleston across the valley.

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park
The Barron Ridge

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Descending back down to the Binser Saddle Track with various unnamed peaks to the north (including one named peak, Brown Hill, 1716m).

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Sophia bottom right, basking in afternoon sun, with Mt Rolleston behind.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Returning to the low peak.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Mt Rolleston panorama from the summit of Avalanche Peak. Pretty grand.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Interesting fungus. I see a koala face in this scene.

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking down the Otira River.

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park — Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park
A bit of zoom to get a closer look at Arthur's Pass.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
The position of the sun made photography rather hard in the morning, but I liked the effect I got on this photo.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
A panorama looking east. The Torlessse Range back right, and the Puketeraki Range to the left.

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park — Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park
Tara Tama

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park — Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park
Views east from the Kelly Range Tops.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
I cropped one of my other shots to get this wide angle landscape of Sophia on the ridge to the summit (looking away from the summit here). Best viewed in landscape so it fills up your screen.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
Mt Rolleston, Mt Philistine and the Otira River. We could only see half way up these mountains on the way out.

Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass — Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass
The Rolleston Glacier from a small saddle before the final climb to the summit.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
Mt Stuart left and Mt Rolleston centre right.

Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass — Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass
My favourite picture of Mt Rolleston for the day, with the Rolleston Glacier below.

The Dome ascent, Arthur's Pass — The Dome ascent, Arthur's Pass
The Aicken and Polar Ranges.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Lots of colour and texture in this photo, with the Poulter River to the right, and the low peak (1753m) to the left.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
A panorama south.

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park
Wide panorama from the summit. Looking roughly south back towards Arthurs Pass, which is centre left.

Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass — Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass
I got a couple of decent fantail shots for the first time. Those buggers don't ever sit still! This photo makes me look like a competent wildlife photographer but I was shooting at point blank range.

Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass — Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass
Sophia arriving at the summit. She took a different route up than me, but it was a bit steep and we descended back down the more direct route.

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park
One of my favourite rugged shots of the day.

Kellys Hill via Carroll Hut, Arthur's Pass — Kellys Hill via Carroll Hut, Arthur's Pass
Kelly's Creek near the start.

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park
I got excited when these bluffs came into view. Super rugged.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Looking down Punchbowl Creek.

Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass — Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass
Views from the summit of Mt Pfeifer (1704m). Mt Franklin (2145m) is prominent on the left, and a distant Mt Rolleston can be seen on the right.

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park
Mt Rolleston partially obscured by cloud to the left (as it was until mid afternoon), and Mt Armstrong to the right.

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park
It all looked quite imposing.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
My wife Sophia descending from Mt Aicken, with Mt Rolleston looming large in the background.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
Spider webs.

Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Layers of ridges and peaks looking east. Sophia down there for scale. I think it's the Polar Range to the left, or else the Aicken Range.

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
A South Island Robin I think. It was very friendly, pecking at anything it thought might be food, including our gaiters.

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park — Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park
Three of the bigger tarns clustered together. This was roughly where I joined the marked route.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking towards the Waimakiriri Valley as we ascended the Avalanche Peak Track.

Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
A panorama looking north-west.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
View from the summit: looking roughly north.

Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass — Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass
Looking east.

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park — Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park
It was very atmospheric in the forest after quite heavy snowfall.

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park — Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park
Back into snowy forest as we left the hut.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
A panorama south-west.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Misty mountains deeper into Arthur's Pass National Park.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
First big panorama of the day.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
A close up of the Waimakariri Valley from nearby point 1753m.

Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking back down towards Arthur's Pass Village from above the bushline.

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass — Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
The Waimakariri Valley in mist.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Sophia contemplates the final climb to the summit of Avalanche Peak. The route goes to the right, then there's a short, narrow and rocky ridge that runs lefts to the summit.

Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass — Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass
I had left the Mt Aicken route by now, heading south-east towards Mt O'Malley. This is looking back towards Mt Rolleston of course.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
We passed by the big tarn. It was all very picturesque.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
Looking up towards the summit. It looked like it might clear but that wasn't to happen for another hour and a half.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
On the ridge to point 1844m. Some of it was quite narrow, but had widened by this stage.

Mt Barron Route, Arthur's Pass National Park

Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
The Crow Valley and high peaks in the Southern Alps to the right.

Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
I liked this shot with the rocky outcrops in the foreground. Looking back down to the Bealey River Valley.

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park — Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking up the Waimakariri Valley. The Bealey River Valley to the right, which leads to Arthur's Pass Village.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Mt Rolleston, 2271m

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park — Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park
A change of light and weather conditions as we descended in the afternoon.

Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass — Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass
The Otira Valley in early morning light.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park

Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Bealey ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
The Crow Valley from the summit.

The Dome ascent, Arthur's Pass — The Dome ascent, Arthur's Pass
Panorama including the Mingha and Edwards Valleys, and The Spike and Mt Williams front and centre.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
The beech forest was very attractive, although quite hard to photograph.

Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass — Mt Philistine from Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass
Mt Rolleston and the ridge to Mt Philistine to the right.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Crow Valley and Jellicoe Ridge panorama. Fabulous scenery.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
Sophia admiring Mt Rolleston (2275m). This is still on the to-do list, but might require some more experience and snow craft skills before we take it on.

The Dome ascent, Arthur's Pass — The Dome ascent, Arthur's Pass
Panorama from The Dome to the Waimakariri River.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
View from the summit: looking east (ish).

Kellys Hill via Carroll Hut, Arthur's Pass

Mt O'Malley ascent, Arthur's Pass

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
A panorama looking back towards the summit (left). I think that is Mt Franklin centre right.

The Dome ascent, Arthur's Pass — The Dome ascent, Arthur's Pass
The Spike (1440m) and Mt Williams (1718m).

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Sophia backed by Avalanche Peak.

Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass — Mt Pfeifer and Pfeifer Bivvy, Arthur's Pass
Views of Deception Valley were a highlight. You get these from the ridge either side of point 1364m. You can cut across and miss this bit out but I recommend taking the ridge at least in one direction.

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park — Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur's Pass National Park
The first tarn I came across. They were all frozen.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
not the summit, but a nice spot to take a short rest and admire the views. I'm not sure why the cairn is so big here as this isn't even a minor peak.