Approaching the Southern Alps
We began this adventure by heading west across the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass.
Tramping Above Treeline
Right at the summit of Arthur's Pass we began a tramp up towards a snowfield.
Snow Bowl
Our tramp took us to the base of a snowfield that is used for skiing in the winter.
Cloud Level
The clouds came whipping over the summit passing underneath, above and around us.
Alpine Tundra
The carpet at the top was a mosaic of colors and textures.
Contemplation
As we climbed Pamela noted the similarity in color between Griffin's hair and the grasses in the area.
Climber Quinn
Ever in search of better views and photos, Quinn was pushing the envelope.
Two Climates
Right at the summit we were at the point where the air sweeps over the pass. On the west side the moisture drops from the clouds and provides the precipitation that supports the rain forests. On the east slope there is little remaining water and the foilage is significantly different. Here we are looking back to the east and the parting clouds at sunset.
Summit Sunset
Three brush strokes of crimson provide accents to the whisps of clouds and pillars of rock.
Franz Josef Glacier
Because of an amazing hole that recently opened up in the glacier causing serious changes to the drainage flow patterns, the walk to the glacier was closed. On this drizzly day, this was the closest view of the glacier.
Layers of Hills
The views in all directions were of ever receding layers of hills shrouded in the mist. The Misty Mountains...
Fox Glacier
While the rain continued to fall, we were able to approach Fox glacier much more closely. The ice flow descends from the slopes of the two highest mountains in New Zealand.
Glacier Signage
Throughout the country there are many unusual sign posts. We all enjoyed this one with the glacier as the backdrop.
Family on Ice
Quite the optical illusion, the calving glacier in the background is dozens of meters tall
Water and Gravity
One of the benefits from being in the steep canyons of a rainforest during the rain, is the ability to witness cascades of water coming off of the mountains.
Our Faithful Steed.
This photo gives a scale to the size of the palms and ferns that permeate the rainforest.
Path Through the Forest
While it was difficult taking pictures in the rain without damaging the camera, there were too many compelling visual images to ignore. This is the beginning of a short and wonderful hike through a Fox Glacier forest.
Punga
The native fern Punga with its unfolding frond (koru) is often used as the symbol of New Zealand
Dense Foliage
At every turn there are wonderfully intricate scenes.
Palms
The greens and browns filter the light and provide a soft glow that can only be described as middle earthy.
Shadow and Shade
Unexpected were the multitude of colors found on the edges of the sunlight.
New Life
The koru is a Maori symble of life and new beginning and is manifest in this thumbnnail sized fern bud.
Monochromatic
How many different shades of green can you spot in this photo?
Pamela on the Path
Pamela walks past what was one of our favorite trees. Encircled by layers of its own roots, this one was dozens of meters high.
Treeo
Quinn's photo of PMG posed at this most interesting tree.
A Stroll Through Fernwood
The meandering path through the forest was magical and the 20 minute hike was stretched out for hours.
Fern Head
This is a photo of an emerging fern head as the leaf buds begin to pop out.
Magical Places
This massive tree root served as a place for ducking in and out of the shadows.
Fern Fantasy
The number, types, size and color of the ferns was fantastical.
Colorful Carpet
At the most minute level, every portion of tree and decaying wood served as a host for an indescribable carpet of very small plant life. This is a very small section less than a square decimeter in size.
Moist Koru
The head of a new fern in the classical Koru shape. You can clearly see the rain still clinging to its hairs.
Canopy
Looking up this is the typical view of the ceiling off ferns.
Let up in the rain
Towards the end of our walk, the rain temporarily abated.
Trampers and the Trail
At the end/beginning of the walk the boys pause to record the moment. Wet but having clearly enjoyed the adventure.
Downpour
As the ran fell in torrents, the water cascaded off the walls of the canyon
Griffin's Gaze
Lake Matheson is known for it stunning reflections of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman, when it is not raining. Griffin gazes across the lake wishing the clouds away.
Base of Mt. Tasman
As the clouds began to part it ws possible to see the base of Mt. Tasman
Family in the forest
Posed at the overlook of the lake.
Forest Foliage
The rainforest surounding Lake Matheson was thick with foliage and birds.
Cook from the West
Aoraki briefly shows itself as the clouds flirted with the mountain ridges.
Perkinje
As the sun was setting it briefly dipped between the clouds and horizon and gave a magical glow of color to the world.
Portrait of a Fern
A beautiful fern at the edge of the Lake
Hunter of Views
Armed with camera and patience, Quinn was in search of the perfect Koru.
Water's Edge.
The wide variety of ferns and other foliage.
Forest Path
Much of the forest was clothed in moss that retained glistening moisture long after the rain had abated.
Reflection
While the mountains were on hiatus, the trees served as local stand-ins for the famous lake reflection.
Path through the Marsh
Walking past the lake towards the mountains and their glaciers.
lifting haze
as the haze lifted, the intersection of mountain, rainforest and lowland fields can finally be seen.
Coastal mists
The steam lifts silently out of the bush as the sun finally arrived. As we headed home, the sun set over the ocean on our left, and these wonderful views of mountains and mists were off the the right. A magical if not moistureful adventure.