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Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Tarns and then a bit of Lake Harris.
Mt Alaska ascent (winter), near Glenorchy NZ
Mt Earnslaw at the back.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
Returning. I loved this angle on Mt Xenicus, which is impressive when viewed from the Routeburn as well.
Pigeon Island Summit Track, Lake Wakatipu
Mt Larkins I think.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
Arriving at the very edge of Theatre Flat. The rest is open grassland with patches of forest.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
Lake Nerine at the back and an unnamed tarn in the foreground.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Mt Xenicus (1912m).
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
I can't remember which direction this was, but another shot from the summit of Conical Hill.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
At Harris Saddle: mountains on the other side of the Hollyford Valley, with the Harris Saddle Hut (day use only) centre of picture.
Sugarloaf Pass to pt. 1290m, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
Sophia walks in front of a section of Mt Earnslaw.
Sugarloaf Pass to pt. 1290m, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
A picturesque spot in the beech forest.
Mt Alaska ascent, Whakaari Conservation Area
Mt Larkins (left, 2300m), point 2232m and Stony Peak (2130m). It was all very grand up there.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
On our way up Mt Erebus we passed by some spots I'd visited at dusk.
Mt Alaska ascent (winter), near Glenorchy NZ
Mt Alaska ascent (winter), near Glenorchy NZ
Sophia trudging up towards Heather Jock Hut, with a very pleasing cloud inversion behind.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
Prospector Peak as we sidled around the northern slopes of Nereus Peak. You can see the flatter ground that you drop down to for easier travel towards Lake Nerine (to the right, not yet in sight).
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
The Park Glacier and Amphion Peak centre left.
Bold Peak from Glacier Burn Track, Humboldt Mountains
A helicopter flies over Sleepy Hollow as I made my way up to the summit. I guess you know you are somewhere good when helicopters and light planes are flying over every 20 minutes. Disrupted the serenity though. Get out and walk like me you lazy Fokkers! (Airplane joke there).
Mt Alaska ascent, Whakaari Conservation Area
Mt Alfred in the middle there. That was a great walk.
Bold Peak from Glacier Burn Track, Humboldt Mountains
Looking down Lake Wakatipu.
Invincible Mine Track, near Glenorchy NZ
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
I love youse all! Or so says Lake Harris. The lake is actually shaped a bit like South America, but from this particular angle, and with the right framing, you can feel the love.
Mt Alfred ascent, near Glenorchy NZ
The view of Mt Aspiring national Park from the summit. Mt Earnslaw to the right.
Mt Alaska ascent, Whakaari Conservation Area
A panorama roughly north-west. Mt Alfred and the Dart River centre left.
Mt Alaska ascent, Whakaari Conservation Area
A kea at Heather Jock Hut.
Earnslaw Burn Track, near Glenorchy
Finally out of the beech forest, and entering the Earnslaw Basin. This is roughly where we had lunch stops one and two. Sophia in the foreground. The marked track actually stops at the bush line but I had read somebody's blog and we continued (about an hour fifteen or so) to a viewpoint overlooking the multiple waterfalls coming from the glacier.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Mt Xenicus (1912m) and Mt Erebus (1978m).
Routeburn Track to Routeburn Flats, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
I take so many photos trying (and mostly failing) to accurately portray the atmosphere of a NZ beech forest; I think one is better than average.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
Fabulous views as we worked our way around the final big tarn.
Sugarloaf Pass to pt. 1290m, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
A section of the Humboldt Mountains. Possibly Momus (2148m) up there.
Mt McIntosh Loop Track, Whakaari Conservation Area
I liked this picture as cloud lingered about the tops. It didn't clear until mid afternoon.
Mt Alaska ascent, Whakaari Conservation Area
The distinctive Jean Hut: the roof is held down by large rocks.
Sugarloaf Pass to pt. 1290m, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
A wide panorama fitting in lots of dramatic scenery from the Rockburn Valley to the left, to Lake Nerine and Nereus Peak on the right.
Mt Alaska ascent, Whakaari Conservation Area
Heather Jock Hut and Mt Alaska behind. It didn't take all that long to climb the mountain from this point, and if you have the daylight hours I think it's worth the extra effort.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
How glassy is that pool!
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Near the summit of Conical Hill.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
The large tarn to the north-east of Lake Nerine.
Invincible Mine Track, near Glenorchy NZ
Looking up the Rees Valley.
Routeburn North Branch Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
Emily Pass up there in the middle.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
Blue Ducks / Whio. I actually walked right past these guys and only saw them when I turned around to take a landscape shot. Nice green marbling on the water as well.
Pigeon Island Summit Track, Lake Wakatipu
I think these are the Thomson Mountains, with Tooth Peak somewhat prominent.
Invincible Mine Track, near Glenorchy NZ
On the drive in.
Mt Alfred ascent, near Glenorchy NZ
One of my best photos with me in it.
Mt Alaska ascent, Whakaari Conservation Area
Glenorchy backed by the Humboldt Mountains.
Routeburn North Branch Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
A stand of very ferny beech forest.
Mt Alfred ascent, near Glenorchy NZ
A famous view on the drive down to Glenorchy. I think Mt Alfred is centre right just to the right of the little island.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
A grand view of Routeburn Flat and Humbolt Mountains from an open section formed by a landslide.
Invincible Mine Track, near Glenorchy NZ
Looking down the Rees River towards Glenorchy.
Routeburn Track to Routeburn Flats, Mt Aspiring National Park
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Earnslaw Burn Track, near Glenorchy
Coming back.
Caples Track to Mid Caples Hut return
Looking east at the start.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
Impressive peaks in the Darran Mountains, including the highest peak in Fiordland, Mt Tutoko. I love the ice caps.
Mt McIntosh Loop Track, Whakaari Conservation Area
Attractive speargrass and Temple Peak.
Earnslaw Burn Track, near Glenorchy
Looking back away from the glacier and down the valley, from whence we came.
Routeburn Track to Routeburn Flats, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
Aggressive looking topography in the afternoon light.
Earnslaw Burn Track, Mt Aspiring NP
Sophia backed by the Earnslaw Glacier.
Earnslaw Burn Track, near Glenorchy
Coming back.
Routeburn North Branch Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
I loved how these ferns just spread out like an alluvial fan.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
On the western side of the lake.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
The Humbolt Mountains above Routeburn Flats.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
I liked that stripy rock on the left.
Bold Peak from Glacier Burn Track, Humboldt Mountains
The Rees and Dart Rivers, and Mt Alfred centre.
Bold Peak from Glacier Burn Track, Humboldt Mountains
Another helicopter shot, with a wider angle on the scenery. I was still on my way up here.
Bold Peak from Glacier Burn Track, Humboldt Mountains
On my way back down. I returned back along that tarn shelf. Mt Earnslaw on the left, still somewhat obscured by cloud. I left the summit at about 4pm, and was back at the car by 9, just on sunset.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
The Darran Mountains in Fiordland, including the highest peak of Tutoko.
Mt Alaska ascent (winter), near Glenorchy NZ
Black Peak (1989) looming large. This can be climbed as a side trip off the McIntosh Loop Track (which I've not yet done). You could do it as an epic day walk, but there are huts up there to make it a an overnight walk.
Sugarloaf Pass to pt. 1290m, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
I liked this rather chilly looking scene.
Caples Track to Mid Caples Hut return
The view from near Mid Caples Hut with manuka bushes in the foreground.
Mt McIntosh Loop Track, Whakaari Conservation Area
Precipice Hill, Pulpit Basin and Temple Peak.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Spear grass and cliffs.
Routeburn North Branch Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
Just fabulous mountain scenery near our turnaround point. The Humboldt Range.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
The Routeburn North Branch and Nereus Peak.
Mt Alaska ascent (winter), near Glenorchy NZ
Mt Alaska top right, our target for the day.
Bold Peak from Glacier Burn Track, Humboldt Mountains
One of my most epic shots. Views from the summit of Bold Peak (2118m), including Sleepy Hollow and Mt Bonpland (2343m). If you're on your phone this shot will look a lot better in landscape orientation, full frame.
Sugarloaf Pass to pt. 1290m, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
Mt Earnslaw / Pikirakatahi and a frozen tarn. Just proving it was cold, if not all that snowy.
Bold Peak from Glacier Burn Track, Humboldt Mountains
Various unnamed peaks south of Mt Bonpland. The main peak is at the back, perhaps obscured by cloud still.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
Some attractive boulders on the Rockburn. (Now, I do wonder whether this is how it got its name).
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
Approaching North Col. There were quite deep crevasses to the left between the rock and the snow.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
Lake Wilson. This was the only shot from the shore where I fit in the whole lake.
Mt Alfred ascent, near Glenorchy NZ
One of my favourite views in New Zealand. Mt Aspiring National Park with the Dart River centre-left, Lake Sylvan on the left, and Mt Earnslaw to the right.
Sugarloaf Pass to pt. 1290m, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
A frosty and snowy looking saddle at the high point of Sugarloaf Pass. From here it is a steep but easy enough climb through tussock to point 1290m.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
Views from our 'almost summit', looking SE. From pictures I've seen online, this view of the tarns is better than what you get from the summit.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Lake Harris looking quite blue after the sun came out.
Sugarloaf Pass to pt. 1290m, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
Mt Earnslaw / Pikirakatahi (2830m)
Caples Track to Mid Caples Hut return
Sophia walking back towards the start.
Mt Alaska ascent (winter), near Glenorchy NZ
A panorama of Mt Larkins, pt 2232m, and Stone Peak.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
Looking back down the Routeburn North Branch Valley.
Routeburn North Branch Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
Clouds added some atmosphere (figuratively and literally) on my first visit.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
Impressive views as we approached the steep tussock slopes on a mostly obvious impact track with a few cairns to help mark the way. The Park Glacier and Amphion Peak are prominent landmarks.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
So mossy!
Routeburn North Branch Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
There's just the one tarn along the way.
Bold Peak from Glacier Burn Track, Humboldt Mountains
Mt Bonpland from the summit.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
Early morning reflections in Lake Wilson.
Mt Alaska ascent, Whakaari Conservation Area
Lake Wakatipu, the Dart River and Humboldt Mountains.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
A close up of Lake Nerine to show off that wonderful colour.
Pigeon Island Summit Track, Lake Wakatipu
Pig Island
Sugarloaf Pass to pt. 1290m, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
The Rockburn Valley.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
A pano of Lake Nerine and Nereus Peak.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Beech forest at the Flats Hut. Loved the colours.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
Valley of the Trolls at dusk.
Earnslaw Burn Track, near Glenorchy
Sophia doing her best cheesy/cutesy photo pose. There was a waterfall on the way that "fell" up and out from the cliff as the wind got it, never actually making it downwards.
I think this may be my favourite shot of the glacier. You get a sense of the width in this shot.
Routeburn North Branch Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
Nereus Peak at the end of the valley.
Sugarloaf Pass to pt. 1290m, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
Mountains lining the Routeburn Track, which is down in the valley.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Just as you think the views don't get any better you come across Lake Harris.
Routeburn North Branch Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
Perhaps my best representation of scale from this walk.
Mt Alaska ascent (winter), near Glenorchy NZ
The view from the summit.
Caples Track to Mid Caples Hut return
Mt McIntosh Loop Track, Whakaari Conservation Area
Despite taking way too many pictures of Mt Earnslaw as I left the summit, this one from down on Chinaman's Flat was probably favourite of the day.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
Lake Wilson
Pigeon Island Summit Track, Lake Wakatipu
A bird I managed to snap with my telephoto lens. I like the quite distinctive and common native flower that its sitting on; part of large plant. Not sure of the name of either bird or plant. (...a juvenile Bellbird and Native Flax!!)
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
That boulder on the right must have been the size of a three storey building. Hard to portray the scale.
Mt Alfred ascent, near Glenorchy NZ
The Dart River and Lake Wakatipu. Again.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Another waterfall on the Routeburn Left Branch.
Mt Alaska ascent, Whakaari Conservation Area
Excellent views from a mining area at about 1400m.
Routeburn Track to Routeburn Flats, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
Some grand mountains rising above Routeburn Flats. These scenes are near the turnaround point and are a rewarding end to the outward leg of the walk.
Glenorchy Walkway
Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi to the right, and Mt Alfred centre. Mt Alfred makes for an excellent day hike, (but you may have to ask for permission from the land owners to access the summit).
Bold Peak from Glacier Burn Track, Humboldt Mountains
Another reflection shot of Bold Peak.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
Mt Xenicus and friends.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
A grand panorama of lake Harris.
Sugarloaf Pass to pt. 1290m, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
The Humboldt Mountains, and Rockburn Valley far right.
Mt Alaska ascent, Whakaari Conservation Area
A kea climbing on Heather Jock Hut.
Earnslaw Burn Track, near Glenorchy
Spectacular views as we progress through the tussock basin. Sophia in the foreground. We met a nice Scottish lad on the way who gave us some advice about walking the last bit. He had a very lilting accent.
Routeburn Track to Routeburn Flats, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
The Humbolt Mountains. I think that peak on the left is Somnus (2293m). I walked just a little past the Flats Hut to get this shot.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Cliffs on the other side of Lake Harris. I took more picks of Lake Harris later in the day when the weather cleared.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Looking down the Routeburn Left Branch.
Valley of the Trolls, Lake Wilson, Mt Erebus
Look at the colours of those rocks!
Sugarloaf Pass to pt. 1290m, Mt Aspiring National Park NZ
Sophia at point 1290m.
Mt Alaska ascent, Whakaari Conservation Area
The Buckler Burn valley. Loved the shapes, textures and colours.
Mt Alaska ascent (winter), near Glenorchy NZ
Resting at Heather Jock hut.
Sugarloaf Pass to Point 1290m, Mt Aspiring NP
Mt Earnslaw (2890m). The Earnslaw Glacier is on the other side. We visited that a year and a half before - very impressive. I wanted to get the tarn in shot because they remind me of the Lake District in England where I lived from about 3 months to 4.5 years old, and where I did my first regular walking (also in North Wales).
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
Lake Nerine
Mt Alfred ascent, near Glenorchy NZ
The Dart River and Lake Wakatipu.
Sugarloaf Pass to Point 1290m, Mt Aspiring NP
A panorama looking back towards Lake Wakatipu.
Mt McIntosh Loop Track, Whakaari Conservation Area
Another panorama looking north. This one with my phone, that makes everything look a bit brown compared to my mirrorless camera but has good HDR.
Pigeon Island Summit Track, Lake Wakatipu
A weka on the beach, viewed as we left on the boat.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
An enormous boulder in the upper Rockburn Valley. Note the cairn on top!
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Layers of mountains and spurs and the winding Routeburn as we returned down to the Falls Hut.
Caples Track to Mid Caples Hut return
A panorama from Mid Caples Hut.
Routeburn North Branch Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
The Humbolt Range.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
The Routeburn Left Branch and surrounding peaks.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Fellow hikers enjoying the views from Conical Hill.
Mt Alaska ascent (winter), near Glenorchy NZ
I liked the textures, shapes and colours in this shot.
Bold Peak from Glacier Burn Track, Humboldt Mountains
Bold Peak reflected in one of the many small tarns.
Mt Alfred ascent, near Glenorchy NZ
A panorama of the Dart River and mountains.
Mt Alaska ascent (winter), near Glenorchy NZ
Looking towards the final ascent to Mt Alaska. Not all hat much snow on top.
Invincible Mine Track, near Glenorchy NZ
New Zealand has a plethora of these sorts of streams.
Invincible Mine Track, near Glenorchy NZ
Looking up the Rees Valley from Invincible Mine. Mt Earnslaw centre.
Routeburn North Branch Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
Returning back to Routeburn Flats.
Routeburn North Branch Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
Very lush.
Lake Nerine Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
Slowly working our way through the scrub. Nereus Peak at the end of the valley.
Routeburn Track NZ: Routeburn Flats to Harris Saddle and Conical Hill
Looking down the Routeburn valley.
