Mountains have a way of drawing you in like a magnet, whether you want to view them, walk up them, or perhaps climb them.
For me it has been about climbing them and the Southern Alps on New Zealand’s South Island has provided me with a great place to do just that over the past two weeks.
And sure, there has been a day here or there that the weather was not suitable, but that is an opportunity to wrap yourself in a warm down sleeping bag way up high in an alpine hut with a good book…
Talking about Alpine Huts, I spent a week at Centennial Hut, situated on the West Coast, and from its position, perched high on an exposed ridge, you could see all the way down to the Tasman Sea…the sunsets were fantastic from our alpine hideaway!
I have learned much over the past two weeks under the supervision of the team from Adventure Consultants who are high altitude climbing specialists based at Wanaka and it has prepared me very well for an expedition to climb in Nepal later this year.
In fact, the climbing in Nepal will not be as technical as the climbing I have been doing these past two weeks, but the summits will be in excess of 6,000 metres!
And whilst I am still surrounded by the magnificent mountains of the Southern Alps I will be putting away the crampons and ice picks for the next few days as Janet, TomO, and I are going to spend some time just relaxing in this wonderful country they call New Zealand…
Crikey…did I say relax – I mean relaxing, as we know how.
All three of us will be stepping off a platform high above a canyon near Queenstown, in what is billed as the world’s largest canyon swing. Once you depart the platform you free-fall 60 metres down into the canyon until the ropes smoothly swings you into a giant 200 metre swing. You then complete a couple of massive swings before you slowly come to rest approximately 100 metres below the departure platform.
Strewth, I’ll let you know how that goes!
And all I can say is – “thumbs up” to climbing in New Zealand…
XPLORE - Out & About 
Fabulous pictures! So very excited for you. On to Nepal and the top of the world.
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Thanks Carol…making our way towards the “top of the world” very slowly!
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Breathtaking shots! New Zealand is on my bucket list of places to go!
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You’ll love it…!
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WOW! Looks amazing
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Fantastic Andrew…
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big thumbs up!! those are surreal pictures. it looks like you are at the ends of the earth. stunning. are you ever cold? i’m bitching today because it’s freezing over here in ny this week, i don’t think i could take it. it’s true, the only cold i like is ice cream. 🙂
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Well actually walking on the glacier can be very hot, especially with a heavy pack. On this particular climb we were traversing the south face early in the morning and it was cool.
I regulate temperature with clothing, something you need to work at as you progress on the climb…
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Gorgeous photos. What a magnificent place, Baz. How very fortunate you are to have been there – and how fortunate we are to share the experience. That picture of you traversing Aurora is something else!
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Thankyou…not the place to fall that is for sure!
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Having just moved to a mountainous area and living among them for the first time, I’ve become aware of that “pull” you describe. I spend a good deal of time walking around on them and way too much time just looking at them (my family says I’m a “mountain creeper!”). I don’t yet understand this enticement…they’re like a 24/7 attraction. BTW, your third to the last photo took my breath away!
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The mountains are a great place to spend time…sounds like you’re hooked already! Good for you….
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You’re right that sunset IS FANTASTIC!! Have fun with Janet and Tom O in New Zealand!!! Take lots more pictures! 🙂
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Will do, on all counts!
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Wow!
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It is a Wow kind of place, that’s for sure…
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wow…so amazing :}
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Thanks BG
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Good to hear from you. Great photos and a wonderful adventure/training. Love reading about it too. Thanks. 🙂
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Thankyou Jillian…it has been fantastic!
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Fantastic place!
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Gorgeous views!
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Have fun “relaxing” with Janet and TomO! I hve a feeling you guys have a damn good time together.
Breath-taking photos…as usual!
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Strewth…I’m worried about this “relaxing”…!
And such a great place to take photos!
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Amazing photos, and I would imagine the peace and quiet at that altitue is something that’s worth the climb 🙂
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For sure…and you’ll experience it soon in Nepal!
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Not too long now – getting excited and scared in equal measures 🙂
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And it is healthy to be that way…I’m excited or you!
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The mountain looks amazing, Baz! Thanks so much for sharing New Zealand, and cheers to your next adventure!
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Thanks Julie…a wonderful place to “adventure” in…!
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