Typical NZ Spring storms are coming through and just last week we had fresh snow all around the mountains near Wanaka. October ended with our ski touring team coming out of Tasman Saddle hut, a successful Copeland pass alpine trekking traverse and a Mount Cook climb that could not eventuate because of the full on weather and avalanche dangers. IFMGA mountain guide Sean Brooks with mountaineer Rob had an interesting time at Plateau hut with the wind keeping them awake during the nights spent up there. Chief mountain guide Gary Dickson sat out the storm with VIP team Phil, Bill, John and Geoff and they managed a good number of excellent ski turns in the surrounding areas for the next couple of days, finishing with a splendid ski down the Tasman Glacier. However, they witnessed lots of avalanche activity too. NZMGA mountain guide Pete James with Darrin were also in the area, waiting in Mt Cook village for the weather to clear enough. After they saw the Chamoix bar windows blown out and the storm finally calming down, they were able to cross the Main Divide and here some photos (all by Pete James) telling more:
Climbing up towards Copeland Shelter
The shelter and Copeland pass behind it
Darrin on the Copeland Pass, Mt Cook Nat. Park
Some of the Icelandic team approaching the summit of Point De Mourty, Switzerland
Ivar, Chief guide for Icelandic Mountain Guides enjoying some swiss granite
Some of the team take a refreshing dip after 8 days of training.
Latter half of June, and Gary and Chief guide of Icelandic Mountain Guides, Ivar, spent 8 days in Switzerland with 8 of IMG’s senior guides for some assessment of Alpine trekking skills and knowledge and up-skilling/training of guiding on solid alpine rock. Both the Zinal (Moiry Glacier) and Trient Plateau areas were used and provided perfect rock ridges for training missions and snowy passes and glaciers for assessing skills and knowledge.
The Icelandic team head back to Iceland for another busy season guiding on the dynamic guiding terrain of Iceland with hopefully ” a few more tools in their tool box”.
Gary having a few days off rock climbing with Iris on the local Swiss crags before heading away for a week with an ISM client.
Kea entertainment while camping at Cascade Saddle
Hoheria in full flower allong the Dart Valley
A South Island Robin in the Dart Valley
Taking advantage of a good weather window during last week, Iris and Bu finally got to go over the Cascade Saddle, a wonderful 3 day trek from the Matukituki Valley to Glenorchy. Dropped off and picked up by Alpinism & Ski’s chief guide Gaz who’s home a few days between mountaineering trips.
Checking out how cold the glacier stream water is
Taking a few photos of native green hooded orchids
What a great lunch spot with the Rob Roy glacier in the back ground
Today is another glorious day in Wanaka, and what better for Iris to do than to go trekking with a lady from Hongkong into Mt Aspiring National Park. Destination – walk up the Matukituki Valley, turn right and up the Rob Roy valley to visit the Rob Roy Glacier Cirque.
With the beautiful weather we have been having, the native orchids are in excellent shape. With the Keas cruising around, lunch was had in front of the mighty Glacier – with a few ice avalanches to be heard and watched from a safe distance.
Iris, having dropped off a very satisfied customer is now getting ready to head to Mt Cook National Park this evening where she is meeting up with friends to do the Ball Pass trek. Wow , the weather this season is very summery!
The swing bridge at the entrance to the Rob Roy valley
The photos from the Tour du Grand Combin on this link of the Marmotte and here some fauna and flora shots:
a young marmot in the Swiss Alps
marmot venturing out of its cave
Swiss Alps alpine flora and fauna
Lis Martagon or Turquish lily, an alpine queen
Edelweiss, a famous flower
Gentian Purpurea
Fantastic views in Mt Aspiring National Park
The first Alpine Trekking trip for Alpinism & Ski was run by mountain guide Dave Alderson with two keen photographers from Colombia. The team flew into Bevan Col and spent New Year’s eve at Colin Todd hut. Gabriel and Allan had a marvelous time discovering how to move around on snow, roped on with ice axe and crampons.They traversed the Bonar Glacier and made their way down the Quarterdeck to French Ridge hut. Snow, ice, native bush, challenging trekking… plenty of good photos, a couple here, made available by Dave A.
Two Colombian photographers having fun
Gabriel & Allan trekking in Mt Aspiring National Park
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