"Freedom" camping along the Matukituki River before heading into Mt. Aspiring NP.
Mt. Aspiring, flanked by Bonar Glacier: a stellar peak.
Rob Roy Glacier: enough water to last me a lifetime.
Liverpool Hut, first night's lodging. It's quite the adventure getting up there, and the views have got to be some of the most spectacular on earth (looks out across the valley to Mt. Aspiring when the sun decides to show). We had the entire hut to ourselves.
Me so happy that we're almost at Liverpool Hut. Don't be fooled by the smile; I was hurting inside.(j/k, I loved it.)
The next day, it was onwards to French Ridge Hut, which meant going down the slickest stuff you could imagine (in the rain) and then going back up some of the steepest stuff that could still be legally called "hiking". Nice rainbows for distraction.
Finally, French Ridge Hut, where mountaineers who are climbing Mt. Aspiring stay. They wanted to know what we mere mortals were doing there. Lots of testosterone in there! The hut shook all night long through some of the strongest most consistent gale force winds I've experienced.
Lookin' up the valley.
Splendid lupines galore... Reminded me of Alaska, but even more shades of colour!
Mt. Cook on a clear morning. Back here to try Mueller Hut, but again twarted by weather. (the weather turned fine as we were leaving)
Lake Wanaka, looking towards Mt. Aspiring area.
Arthur's Pass: beautiful braided river valleys and...you guessed it...mountains! Part of the "spine" of the Southern Alps.
Back in Christchurch. Trolleys are dressed up for Christmas already...summer is in the air! (except today it's windy and kind of cold).
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