New Zealand Landscapes

Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown

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Arthur's Pass in Portrait

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

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

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.

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass — Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
A friendly South Island Robin. Love these guys.

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

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!

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 Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park — Mt Binser ascent, Arthur's Pass National Park
The bare rocky slopes dropping steeply from the low peak.

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 🙂

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

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.

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 Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass — Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass
That plant on the left makes me think of the West Coast.

Mt Cassidy - Blimit Traverse, Arthur's Pass

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

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.

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.