West Coast Glaciers Ice Climbing

Pip and I intended to head up to Castle Rocks hut, above Franz Josef Glacier for a perfect winter weather weekend on the coast.

However, by the time we'd driven all the way down to Franz, we made a late start up the heavily cut lower ice falls. Not too far from Cape Defiance, we started to get blocked by large waves on the glacier and ended up retreating.

We spent an hour or so ice climbing in the crevasses in glorious conditions before driving over to Fox then to Gillespies Beach DOC campsite for the night.

On Sunday, we went up to Fox glacier for a similar few hours cragging and exploring the ice.

A long way to go for a weekend, but a wonderful place.

Pip about to climb onto Franz Josef Glacier

The waves start to bar progress

Home time, Franz Josef

Beautiful dusk conditions at Pip steps off the ice

Tasman, Pip and Cook from Gillespies Beach

Fox Glacier Valley

Pip exploring the lower Ice Fall

Mt Fishtail Hut, Richmond FP

The previous day was gorgeous, warm, sunny and clear making me wish that I didn't have to work. Today's spare day was grey, cold, windy, cloudy and snowing, but it didn't stop me having fun on a trip up to Mt Fishtail Hut.

I almost stood on two large Brown Trout in one of the little streams I forded. Not sure who was more startled, me or the fish!

Pine Valley Hut

Pine Valley Stream

Gorgeous forest


Snowing!

Amazing views :(

At Fishtail Hut, 3hr from road end

One of the two large Trout

Mt Dobson Ski

First Ski of the season on Dobson's Openning day.

Plenty of snow, but most of it was sheet ice. Some good conditions around midday before things began to turn to slush. A glorious day on a dubious forecast.

West Harper Hut, Craigieburn FP

With the poor wx forecast for Q's Bay, we settled on an alternative Cass-Lagoon Saddle trip, making the most of a good saturday to tramp in over Mt Bruce.

The night was spent at the rustic West Harper hut; complete with dirt floor, fertiliser sack bunks and beech tree pole construction!

When the rain began to fall hard on Sunday morning, we decided to return up and over Lagoon Saddle and retreat to town. Great views of the incoming storm were had on the north flanks of Mt Bruce.

Freezing times at Cora Lyn

Nice temperate conditions up Mt Bruce

Nearly at the Summit, Waimak Valley behind


Descending into the Harper River



Nice and cold in our little side stream

Antony, Pen, Pip and Dan

West Harper Heat Pump

Varying situation reports at West Harper Hut

Nearly at Lagoon Saddle

Antony above Lagoon Saddle in the inclement weather