Friday, April 25, 2008

Glaciers to Glenorchy

2nd April 2008


A fantastic drive through Haast Pass, the scenery was awesome! The pass just weaves it's way through the mountains with small waterfalls tumbling down onto the side of the road. With the low cloud it looked like the valleys were a boiling cauldren, amazing to think that the mountains we were seeing were just the foothills of Mount Aspiring!

The sun eventually came out at 3pm and we had great views of Lake Hawea it's water was the most beautiful bright blue in colour. The mountain peaks which surrounded the lake really finished off the vista.

We decided to pitch the tent as Glendue Bay which is right by Lake Waneka. Superb setting as we had great views of the lake and Mount Aspiring. Sadly it was too cold to sit outside to appreciate the setting sun and the stars. Pete lit the primus stove in the tent to try to warm us up, it's not a good idea but necessary as we were so cold, and it was to early to bed down for the night.





Sundowners at Lake Wanaka












It might be small but we call it home!








3rd April 2008

Our plan today is to walk up to the Rob Roy Glacier.







The drive to Rob Roy Glacier






I popped into the campsite office to book another night and, whilst I was inside, an old man said to Pete “were you cold last night?” he explained that a southerly front had passed over us and this morning he had sheet ice on his windscreen. We were cold and I woke up thinking that my kidneys had frozen against my blow up bed.

A beautiful sunny day as we we made our way over swing bridges and through the alpine scenery, which eventually opened into the mountain range.







Pete on the swingbridge at the start of the walk














Once we made it to the top of the track we decided that we would carry higher on to see if we could see into the next valley. After 45 minutes of ascent we decided that it was time to head back down as the sun was starting to drop behind the mountains.









It's a long way down!









As we arrived at the main path there was a thunderous bang and we watched an avalanche; everyone sitting there cheered!


4th April 2008

We drove to Queenstown and then onto Glenorchy in preparation for our 5 day tramp across the Routeburn and Greenstone track.

Just before it got dark we took the car to "Paradise" where parts of Lord of The Rings were filmed. It was a seriously beautiful place.


5th April 2008


It rained HARD all day so Pete and I spent the day bored watching bad American TV.


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