Earthquakes, solo ramblings in the Pisa, and a good friend realises a dream

It's a tad humbling to be posting benign photos as I look, right this moment, at the photos coming in from the unbelievably strong earthquake in Chile. Not for the squeamish!

My mundane story this week is that I set off yesterday with full bivy gear to push the boundaries of where I've been tramping before in the southern Pisa Range on my doorstep - to intersect the 4wd route explored with my cousin over the last few weekends, but this time on foot.

However at about 1200 m it turned cold and was very windy and unpleasant so I pondered my plan in the shelter of a low rock outcrop [self portrait - just love them: 10 secs. to get in position!]...


Making landscape photos is an excellent way to procrastinate, as especially as I realised I could do this one from the shelter I was snoozing in. I certainly spent sometime looking at the wrinkles and texture in the background and wondering what geological and weathering events caused them, and over what time-frame...


Once again in my outdoor's life, I realised the mountains were not at home to me for this trip - a night bivying even higher would have been miserable despite the full moon, so I made the descent to less windy climes and home - the return from whence I'd come [upwards sweating lots] an hour or two beforehand...


I reckon these cows know me, as I have a habit of doing this trip every year or so. I'm always a sucker for their kind and innocent eyes...



On another note I was recently pondering the very minor part I played in my friend Alexei realising his dream to coach at the Winter Olympics. Over two winters ago we [nordicnz.com] decided to aim for the stars for a new coach for the kids we help with cross country skiing at The Snow Farm, and so we posted a Situations Vacant on the web site I'd created and host. I think Alexei may have found it by accident and a few months later I found myself with a flat mate for the winter, and what excellent company he was! That was two good winters ago and look where he's ended up as the NZ Coach => www.wp.umpi.edu/ski/ [which is a excellent blog on his day-to-day experiences at Whistler]

It's tempting to think it was all cause and effect, but it's not that simple. We attract what we think about, and the salutary point I make here is, if we're not careful, we attract what we don't want also!

A busy week, a short storm and the inaugural New Zealand Winter Games

In the week past I was able to relax again into some pretty steady work after too many diverse things going on over the last few weeks. Weeks before this I somewhat thoughtlessly volunteered to help for a couple of days right now on the cross country skiing aspects of the inaugural New Zealand Winter Games, and as the time grew nigh I was fretting a bit that I'd have to sacrifice a few things. However as it turned out yesterday I did not miss competing in the prelude event, the Snow Farm's Merino Muster - I simply did not feel the need to ski 21 Km to the tune of a clock.

As it turned out, just like last Sat., I really enjoyed pottering around town and home noting the first signs of spring, and having Dougal about. And besides, as forecast the high cloud moved in a bit and last night, to the consternation of friends organising the first Nordic ski event in the Games, it rained heavily in town - a warm rain too, which is not good, however the snow line was just low enough as it turned out.

I was away from home in the dark for my time keeping job at the Games this morning, and made these dawn shots when I arrived in the car park at the Snow Farm...




As my job demanded an alertness out of keeping with such an early start I contented myself with making photos of the start/finish area...


Not a rainbow as such, but more an ice crystal bow...


Helping on these events is both mentally and physically demanding, but I do find it's a really good way to get to know people, as we're often teamed up with another local for 3-4 hours, and during the quiet moments we can learn quite a lot. In this case it was one of my client/friends Andrew who has done many expeditions diving and camera work in Fiordland and Antarctica - two of my favourite places, so it was far from the "sacrifice" I've mentioned above. Andrew has been diving doing film work for more than 35 years around Fiordland, Stewart Island, Chatham Islands, Otago and the subantarctic islands. too and with such a broad knowledge of the natural world, is really interesting company.

Andrew gets a mention in this rather long page of text, but there are some great still shots

Yoga, getting balance, Elwing and Fiordland Earthquakes

I started yoga some years ago to experience what it'd be like as a preliminary to my winter sport of nordic skiing, but by this autumn and early winter it'd become something I've embraced in it's own right, especially when a certain type or flow, started proving itself as suited to me when taught by Laurie of Hawea Flat. She is going back to her roots in US soon, so I've been making the most of the opportunity to learn from such a skilled teacher, and her wise words: "Just remember the greatest beauty of our inner teacher"

Laurie and mist over Hawea Flat...


To me one aspect of yoga is what I call "opening" and in the process learning to observe self and breath. The interesting thing about this concept is it aids us in releasing stored emotions and hurt in areas of our body. I guess we start laying these down in childhood. I've realised lately that my current feelings of being more emotional are linked to the 3-5 hours of practice I'm doing weekly.

We all deal with a myriad of feelings day-to-day such as concern for our children, relationships and the suffering we see with others. Despite this I was quite surprised last Sunday to find myself out in the beginnings of wild weather doing a tour in the evening at the Snow Farm, and getting to a windy saddle and just staying there for as long as I could re-centering and getting balanced. Wilderness and wild conditions are a gift to me!

Savouring the view toward Lake Hawea and End Peak by the Dingle Burn, with the Criffel Range in the foreground, all with a great storm coming - our first for weeks...


Looking across the saddle I was standing on, with Bob Lee Hut on the sky line. You can see how the prevailing wind [right to left] has been slowed by the fence enough so the snow being transported could fall to the ground...


The trail I was using, suited to the Classic style of cross country or Nordic skiing...


On July 15 we experienced the most amazing earthquake here in Wanaka. I always enjoy these, but this one was such that after I'd indulged that passion I became concerned about who had been affected, and I must say I was amazed with how I found out so much within 15 mins. using my iPhone. I was pretty sure it had been in Fiordland and this was confirmed, so then, as I've done when down there on the yacht Elwing, started wondering how my friends who were there again sans Dougal and myself had fared.

Elwing anchored by Spit Island July 08...


In light of my current heightened emotional state this morning I found myself pondering that Elwing was named after a Tolkien character and the name relates to the mist from a waterfall glistening in the moonlight. I know her to be one of the loves of my life, and yes she's kept us safe, and even today I still marvel how ships like her can have a female persona. I used to think they're inanimate objects, but to me she is much much more. Why is this? That I perceive her as forgiving, responsive, dynamic, rhythmical, stable, considerate, warm and loving - an angel really!

Arthur ferrying putting us ashore from Elwing in Preservation...


Being concerned I contacted Bluff Fisherman's Radio and at least found out Elwing was still afloat and all were well, but I've had to wait until their return to get the real story and it's been published by our friend Charmian who was on board and works for the Otago Daily Times. It's a scary and sobering tale, but sure enough Elwing kept everyone safe while she worked uncompromisingly with her skipper Arthur. Quote of the year surely has to be Arthur's "Look out! We're in the trees. Start the engine, Barb!" ...more>>

Dog Sledding

I've been up cross country skiing a bit this week, but left it quite late each day. Anything to escape the cloud and see the sun as it's been miserable in Wanaka town itself for weeks now, where as up on the mountains the landscape has been bathed in sun most days.

On one of my regular "beats" a friend of mine was doing a photo shoot with prominent New Zealand dog sledding enthusiasts, so on Thurs. evening I popped into Meadow Hut for a brew and catch up. It was hard to tear myself away from the fire though and get back on the skis for 5 Km back to Lodge...




Once again descending the access road I was struck by the tonal values of the landscape in terms of photography, so stopped to make this quick photograph of the Branch Creek catchment in the Cardrona Valley...


This week I'd like to draw your attention to the wonderful selection of winter photos on James McGregor's Met VUW web site

Rites of passage and learning to let go

According to Wikipedia a rite of passage is a ritual that marks a change in a person's social status, which was exactly what I was realising last night as I attended my son's first formal as a gentle bouncer stationed on the edge of the light, to keep wayward souls in, while another layer of professional security behind me in the darkness seemed to not only do this, but keep wayward strangers out!

The concept of learning to let go, as a parent, first came to me from another parent of older children about 18 months ago. Since then I've been sort of waiting, hopefully prepared to handle myself well, while reviewing my strategies in life and in the outdoors - my hope being that in the outdoors' environment with it's lessons [so far consistently non dramatic] we'd be paid back for the investment.

The process is speeding up now though, and two weekends ago I was jolted out of my comfort zone when Dougal asked if he could float down the Clutha with friends from the outlet of Lake Wanaka. The trip is gorgeous and so was the early evening, and as the trip is basically obstacle free, I went into check list mode to help him prepare well - the ritual gave me some comfort!

Looking upstream up the mighty Clutha...


After I'd dropped him off and they'd launched their array of rafts and lilos I came home for a cuppa then drove down to the pull-out spot at Albert Town and waited and waited.

Did I mention how I waited!?? I had to learn the lesson of patience and tried some landscape photography, but the camera only really got used in earnest for this shot of them coming into view with the lower Dean's Bank in the background...


Contemplating the past I've realised the whole game now is more subtle, but that the rules are just same.

It was easy a few years back - just state the activity, ask if it was OK and then lead, letting them think they're leading, while we hover nearby...


Preparing for a short 100m trip along an historic mine shaft in the Dunstan Mountains, in Central Otago, but near home...


We're parked up waiting for cousin Michael while near Moonlight, on our way out from Ben Lomond Station behind Queenstown...


And all of a sudden last night I wished him well - now a young man embarking on "a rite of passage"


By 3 am I was throughly confused as we never agreed on what time, in regards to daylight saving changes, he'd be back from the after-party [held at a secret location], and he'd not shown up. The plan was hourly buses would drop them back at Mt Aspiring College - thankfully only 10 mins. walk from home. So I drove around the block a couple of times and never saw a soul except one parked/hovering police car in my street. So realising the futility of it all I turned in thankful for all the time we've spent together in the hills and otherwise - the mileage gave me trust.

The trust was not misplaced - minutes later he turned up, and said he'd missed the first bus, and that he enjoyed the "formal" formal, but found the after-party "interesting". Elaborating this morning he said it was his first time observing the affects of alcohol, and how it changed the behaviour of many people he knows quite well.

I guess wilderness values and concepts have taught us both to trust, detach and observe!

We're off on a Rees/Dart 4 day tramp next weekend. With any luck we'll do a side trip up, past the Dart Glacier, to Cascade Saddle.

Ducks and more snowy landscapes

Anyone got a suitable caption for this photo?


Spring is in the air these days in Wanaka and since I love the changing of the seasons, this is just a wonderful thing. There is still a lot of snow on the mountains though, and skiing to be done, but now sun block is going to be a fundamental requirement. However this weekend I've been happy once again to potter about the house, and also go to a huge birthday party out at Hawea last night.

I got this nice shot during the week, and applied some of my slowly gathering photo enhancing skills on it, as I learn that digital images can hold a wealth of information that you can use to make the image closer to the eye's memory of the moment, or use in the quest to bring the concept of art out in a photo. Again from the road coming down from the Snow Farm - one of my favourite winter landscape spots around Wanaka, as well as where I ski cross country/Nordic...

My favourite winter landscape close to home

Over the last few years I've tried to have sea based expeditions to Fiordland most winters, and that's a favourite landscape, but for close-to-home in Wanaka it's hard to beat the landscape photography and art potential up at the Snow Farm on the Pisa range.

Looking up a gully from the River Run, which is my favourite cross country ski trail, and is actually beside the headwaters of the Roaring Meg river, which eventually meets the mighty Kawarau River that drains Lake Wakatipu, at the Roaring Meg power station on the Cromwell to Queenstown road...


This one is taken from the Snow Farm looking across the Cardrona valley, with Wanaka to the right. You can see the tip of Mt Aspiring just right of center above the lower cloud...


We have had some very unsettled weather this winter, but it's what makes the art potential of landscapes worth while and interesting.

Yesterday [Sat], by contrast was a rare perfect day. This year I decided to not compete in the Snow Farm's Merino Muster however. Since up-skilling my fundamental Nordic skiing technique, I've felt more playful than racy, so with a fair bit of work piling up I've had the weekend around the house, walking about Wanaka, and doing some minor shopping. I even washed my truck, which indicates just how muddy this winter has been - because it's quite high off the ground it never catches much mud most winters.

People in the winter landscape

I'm now back into the skiing, so thought I'd share some pictures that give some insights into what some people do for pleasure or otherwise in our winter landscape. There is an art as to how to flourish and have fun in such a "strong" winter.

Ernie...


Alexi my Russian/US house guest waxes skis for participants in the classic nordic ski race last Thurs...


Ben prepares for the race...


Race officials Liz and Jenny seem to have serious things to contemplate...


The Japanese always have stunning lycra...


A very serious finish line...

Snow - an irresistible landscape

Snow seems made for fun, but only when it's on the hills, and we don't have to live with it day-in day-out, with attendant shoveling etc. It also seems made for art!

I can never resist this landscape that I drive down beside every time I visit the Snow Farm for cross country skiing...


Dougal is pretty patient with me as I stop for my landscape photography, and on this occasion got out for a play in the snow...


I had amazing lesson on Sat. from one of the top coaches of world cup athletes etc., a Russian in fact now living in the US - he's my house guest, and a pretty good one at that, in fact he and his family totally impress me in terms of wonderful human beings and ambassadors. Anyway the lesson totally redefined how I'll be skiing from now on - I have much to practice!.

Here he is demonstrating where to have your shoulder, but underlying the lesson was the principal of how to get from A to B in the most efficient and fastest way. No one has ever tackled things for me in this way before...

Back into cross country skiing

I've not had much time to sort the numerous photos taken on my holiday, of landscape and sea in Fiordland. Preservation will have to wait to be blogged as skiing is on the scene and nice low temps. make for a great snow pack, [and there is a lot of it this winter].

I've been up both days over the weekend and probably logged over 30 Kms at about an average speed of 7 Km/hr and my top speed was 22.5 [for those wondering I ski with a GPS sometimes]. So all-in-all quite a good start for the season, and over the next 3 weeks I can make up my mind if I want to race in the Merino Muster again in the 21 Km category.

While New Zealand's north island is being ravaged by some of the worst storms for a decade or more, we've escaped the comparatively warm moist air these systems can bring to our delightfully cold snow pack, and instead over the weekend a number of user friendy SW to SE fronts arrived at the Snow Farm with attendant cold Antarctic air. Here we see an ice crystal rainbow out by the Bob Lee hut, on the leading edge of such a front...