New Zealand Landscapes

Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown

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Arthur's Pass in Portrait

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass — Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Interesting beech forest here.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Devils Punchbowl Creek in early morning light. My two cameras depicted this scene very differently and I don't really remember what it looked like in reality.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking up at the low peak. It was a fairly steep ridge we had to climb. Sophia standing about a third of the way up.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Above the bushline here, on a steep ascent to the first peak at 1753m. Spear grass making a nice foreground, with the Waimakariri River in the background.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National ParkAvalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Sophia looking down from the ridge to the summit. You can also see one of two young women we passed having lunch in that spot. They were walking on snow for the first time and were not confident to take on the ridge, but I suggested they give a go because the views of the Crow Valley were so good. I hope they made it.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking up the Waimakariri Valley in afternoon light.

Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Looking down steep bare slopes to the west.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
A werewere-kokako. These blue mushtooms are on New Zealand's $50 bill. Very cute. My wife Sophia noticed this - she's not all that attentive, but is mad about mushrooms.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
I had done this walk partially to get a good look at this valley, which I had seen from Avalanche Peak just three days before. I probably took a few too many pictures of it from various angles and elevations.

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park — Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park
The Bealey River joining the Waimakariri River.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Mt Franklin

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
I took a slight detour south to get this shot.

Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park — Bealey Spur Track to point 1545m, Arthur's Pass National Park
Power Stream formed a gorge on its mid sections.

Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass — Goat Hill via Barrack Creek Route, Arthur's Pass
Climbing the last bit towards the summit of Goat Hill (1656m).

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
Really attractive forest all the way up.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
The 80m Avalanche Creek Falls.

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

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Another view up Devils Punchbowl Creek, this time in early afternoon light as we descended. There's more to come. I couldn't help myself.