Arthur's Pass, NZ (with videos!)
1/17/07
Today we headed to famous Arthur's Pass, but not without our favorite NZ snack...SHAPES!!!
As soon as we got settled into our accommodations we headed up the 5,299 ft summit of Avalanche Peak. The bushline was at about 3,600 ft and once we emerged a chilly wind shot up the side of the mountain.
We sat down for a quick bite to eat to rest and refuel and thought we could see the summit...thought is the key word!!!
As we continued to climb the markers showing the way to the summit just kept going and going, but the vistas just kept getting better and better.
On the way up I heard a bird squawk and looked up to see large, very colorful green and red parrot landing very close to us. Liz explained it as a "Cheecky Kea." I guess the birds are very mischievous and will get into people's backpacks, garbage cans, and even cars!!!
As we continued to forge our way to the summit I heard Liz scream and point down the steem rocky ledge to our left. At first I thought a rock under her foot gave way or something, but then I realized it was not a rock bouncing down the side of the mountain, but her camera!!! She insisted on going back down to try and retrieve it!
Meanwhile Colleen & I continued up the summit, but VERY carefully (especially after seeing the fate of Liz's camera!!!)
As we headed down from the summit I saw a little speck moving along the mountainside and realized it was Liz! I took out my Dad's binoculars and started directing her towards her camera lodged between some of the boulders she was traversing. I started yelling 20 feet to the right, 10 feet up...to which I saw her look at me and yell, "What is that in meters?!?" HA!
(that's me looking through my binoculars at Liz!)
While waiting for Liz's return from retrieving her camera, Colleen and I found a little plateau/field where we felt the need to frolic (reminded us of the Sound of Music!)
Today we headed to famous Arthur's Pass, but not without our favorite NZ snack...SHAPES!!!
As soon as we got settled into our accommodations we headed up the 5,299 ft summit of Avalanche Peak. The bushline was at about 3,600 ft and once we emerged a chilly wind shot up the side of the mountain.
We sat down for a quick bite to eat to rest and refuel and thought we could see the summit...thought is the key word!!!
As we continued to climb the markers showing the way to the summit just kept going and going, but the vistas just kept getting better and better.
On the way up I heard a bird squawk and looked up to see large, very colorful green and red parrot landing very close to us. Liz explained it as a "Cheecky Kea." I guess the birds are very mischievous and will get into people's backpacks, garbage cans, and even cars!!!
As we continued to forge our way to the summit I heard Liz scream and point down the steem rocky ledge to our left. At first I thought a rock under her foot gave way or something, but then I realized it was not a rock bouncing down the side of the mountain, but her camera!!! She insisted on going back down to try and retrieve it!
Meanwhile Colleen & I continued up the summit, but VERY carefully (especially after seeing the fate of Liz's camera!!!)
As we headed down from the summit I saw a little speck moving along the mountainside and realized it was Liz! I took out my Dad's binoculars and started directing her towards her camera lodged between some of the boulders she was traversing. I started yelling 20 feet to the right, 10 feet up...to which I saw her look at me and yell, "What is that in meters?!?" HA!
(that's me looking through my binoculars at Liz!)
While waiting for Liz's return from retrieving her camera, Colleen and I found a little plateau/field where we felt the need to frolic (reminded us of the Sound of Music!)
posted by Tracy @ 6:41 AM
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