NZ 4 day

[Geo.]

Thought these pic's taken in NZ's South Island might be of interest and show a bit of NZ terrain. Taken on a four day hike.
Up one valley, over a pass and back along another valley.
Not long after I made this trip, there was a bit of an avalanche that dammed the river in the valley below.
It impounded a lake measuring about 1.25 miles long, 547 yards wide and 65 yards deep,
containing about 26 million cubic metres of water. The rising lake has since overtopped the debris dam
and water is draining away through a natural channel. The area in the valley below it is a bit dodgey at the moment in case
the dam suddenly gives up. Hiker's advised to haul waterwings.
These pic's were taken before the landslide, so for me it wasn't a case of "surf's up!"

Day 1. Camped Young Valley. (tent left of pic) There's a bit more water here now!

Day 2. Gaining some elevation. Tent in foreground.

Day 3. Heading for Gillespie Pass at head of valley

Day 3. Top of the Pass at last. Unfortunately views obscured by conditions

Day 3. Dropping down towards the Wilkin Valley

Day 3. Dropping further - head of Wilkin River below

Day 4. Looking back along the Wilkin Valley

Day 4. Last day before river crossing to access road. Remains of old wagon.

Cheers, George

 

[Shewie]

Very nice indeed George - is that your local haunt ????

Looking for a green with envy smillie right now !!


Rich

 

[Injati]

Great photos George, really looks amazing.

 

[pothunter]

Lucky b****r, I've just spent all morning in Birmingham traffic

That looks very special George must have been a good hike, what was the hight climbed from base to peak.

The new lake/dam must be something to see.

Happy travels Pothunter.

 

[commandocal]

abit westerny/cowboyy type , very nice

 

[Geo.]

Very nice indeed George - is that your local haunt ????
Rich

Hi Rich, don't frequent that area as much as I'd like as it's a few hours drive from where I live,
but there are plenty of other spots here to choose from.
My favourite area which unfortunately is even further away, is at the southern end of Stewart Island
(which lies off the southern tip of NZ). I take my kit and kayak on a ferry across the Fauveaux Strait,
then get dropped off by boat (couple of hours south) to rendezvous again for pick up usually around
10 - 12 days. Need a kayak to get around successfully down there.
Great spot, totally remote with deer, penguins, seals etc., your only company!
Weather can be a bit rough at times, but when it's fine it's paradise.Try to get down there every
other year. Here's some pic's of that area...

Approach in kayak - Fraser Peaks ahead

Closer. Peaks - Gog, Magog and Heilan man (small one to right)

Approach up inlet towards Magog

Gog, Magog and Hielan Man

Approach to Hielan Man, the smallest of the peaks

Neat spot. Hard to find, can pass right by it if you don't know about it.
Access to this is through a narrow cut in the coastline rocks not much wider than the kayak.
It opens onto this beach surrounded by high dense bush

Tip of Bald Cone showing above bushline

Ascending Gog. Magog centre with the smaller Heilan Man just showing over its shoulder

Looking back at the area from top of Gog. The inlet (centre) allows insertion inland by kayak and
knocks off a fair bit of footwork!

Beach at bushline where I usually make base camp. Inlet in previous pic starts to left of pic

Plenty of seafood in this area - blue cod, cockles, muscles etc., etc. but always enjoy a good steak after I get back!

what was the hight climbed from base to peak.

Hi Pothunter,
In the other pic's (Young, Wilkin valleys) the highest point reached was 5344ft, which was just after
the pass and just before descending. The start of the trip (river) was at about 900ft.
My camp on day three before the final climb to the pass was at about 3000ft.

Hope that lot was of interest.
I've got a few pic's of the terrain that's practically on my doorstep that I could put up if interested.
Just got back from a couple of nights out and took a few shots. Not as spectacular maybe,
but still remote and very handy! As I get longer in the tooth I kind of wish it wasn't as hilly though.

 

[pothunter]

Hi George

From the pictures in your original post I was struggling to get some perspective, hight and distance. You have some awesome country to hike in and now I see you also have kayaking and outlying islands to visit.

You really are fortunate to have such country long may you enjoy it and keep us posted, I also look forward to reading your book.

Pothunter.

 

[Injati]

After seeing the second set of photographs, I don't think I'll be able to work for the rest of the day. Day-dreaming of expeditions of exploration in NZ by kayak.
It looks unbelievable.