New Zealand Landscapes

Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown

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Arthur's Pass in Portrait

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.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park

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.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Getting rockier as we ascended.

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.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
It was an attractive climb up through beech forest.

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 Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Some of those rocky paths through the beech forest.

Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Aicken ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
Here's Sophia looking up Devils Punchbowl Creek. A great piece of topography 🙂

Devils Punchbowl Track, Arthur's Pass National Park — Devils Punchbowl Track, Arthur's Pass National Park
Devils Punchbowl Falls

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
A New Zealand Falcon / kārearea. It just sat there patiently on the short summit ridge, and it was such an unusual opportunity to get a good shot of a rare and beautiful bird that I felt quite nervous, and my hands were shaking as I was trying to take the photograph. Good job my Lumix GX85 has stabilisation in the body and the lens!

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
We had never done a proper snowy winter walk until this one. It was fun to get in amongst it.

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
The 112m Devils Punchbowl Falls.

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 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.

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

Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park — Avalanche Peak Circuit, Arthur's Pass National Park
Mt Rolleston. I've probably included a few too many pictures of this mountain, but it looked rather grand all dressed up in white. I think this particular angle was from the summit of Avalanche Peak.

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