The 'Youngster's getting braver by the day.
Loved the presence of clouds again, particularly the way they interacted with the mountains.
We reached the junction of Skippers and Coronet Peak Road. To continue on Skippers, it is necessary
to have a four-wheel drive or at least, not to be in a hired car. The insurance policy prohibits driving
on such roads. The other road goes to the ski area. As we were not intending to ski for a few reasons, one
being no snow in New Zealand but for that on some of the highest peaks. So we ‘paaaked the caaar’ close
to the intersection and headed towards Mount Dewar, some 1,500 feet higher. The views once again were
spectacular. For the first time since we began hiking in the region, the sun was blocked by clouding.
However, the cloud formations were interesting and continued playing interesting games with the mountains.
By the time we completed the hike, a large part of the sky covering Queenstown was clear. Once the sun
shone through the gaps, some of the views were breathtaking, mountain, cloud and water.
A clear favorite, typical of the region.
Heading into the great outback...oops wrong country, right place.
Lake Wakatipu, a massive body of water and small for New Zealand.
Steamin' over the ski-station, Coronet Peak.
We tried to communicate with some sheep but that proved fruitless. Clearly they can tell
we are foreigners. Although a few cars passed along Skippers Road, many head to the river for rafting
activities, we followed the Atleys Track over Mount Dewar without seeing another person. It seems
other than the few popular places, the rest of the trails are quite deserted. We have now triangulated
the Queenstown area on the eastern side. It’s one of the most remarkable places to view, that is,
the conglomeration of mountains covering the region. And that’s besides having the Remarkable Range
to the west. We tried to hike the latter but the road is closed for improvements. A pity.
In the early going, cool and cloudy.
Say Mister, can you spare a dollar...a parachute?
Even the colors in the dying season are remarkable as we look down into the valley.
These type of scenes with the contrasts amongst the rocks drive a man...crazy.
High, wide and dare we say, 'handsome'.
After descending Dewar Mountain sharply on its other side, we found ourselves back in the valley
some distance from Ben Lomond Mountain, an icon of the region. We probably walked close to nine miles
and ascended a cumulative 2,500 to 3,000 feet on the day. However, with the constant views surrounding us,
one tends to forget about the strain on the muscles and allow the senses to absorb the natural features.
While one does not have to worry about snakes on these islands, foot placement on some mountains has
the unusual hazard of sheep and cattle droppings—yesterday the ground was well fertilized. It always
makes us think of roses and pose the question: Why is it that a rose, standing in manure all day,
has such a wonderful fragrance? Perhaps we shouldn't be too careful of our foot placements.
Editor changes her position, still brave though.
Hi guys...don't run...please. They had already darted about 200 feet by then but still inquisitive.
The well adjusted hiker...always prepared for a long, dry day even in 'civilization' as we walk
through Queenstown.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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