The Libretto Range, Lewis Pass National Reserve

The weather was stellar, so a high level 3 day traverse of the Libretto Range was planned.

Pip and I made it to Boyle lodge early on the friday and as we caught a lift towards our start point near Deer Valley, I was a little concerened about the amount of snow around.

Pip bashes up the ridge

We bush bashed our way up a forested ridge, encountering sections of icy snow and deep powder as we neared the tree line.

Finally above the bushline

Once above the trees and on the ridge, we enjoyed variable conditions, sometimes crusty, sometimes slabby but always generally supportive.



That evening we chose a nice mellow shelf above a saddle to make snow camp. I was still worried about avalanches, so decided to probe the snow pack with my tent pole just before setting up the tent.. BIG MISTAKE. The pack was nearly 2m deep and the pole just wouldn't come out... Soo I had to dig a pit and remove it by hand... not very bright. Also resulted in a split section of pole.. :(

Inspecting the damage from my 'pole pit'

Next morning dawned a bit windy, so we took heed and started off down a ridge into the Boyle Valley for the rest of the journey.

View from the kitchen


Chucky at the snow camp

Descending off the main range

Getting closer to the Boyle Valley

Arriving at the Boyle River

Once in the valley, we moseyd on down and found a spot to camp.

The Jollie Range


The final day was an easy gradient, but rather long trip out down the Boyle to the highway, still in amazing conditions.

Mt Grey, North Canterbury

Went for a nice stroll on a day with a very bleak forecast for the main range with Geoff and Pip. As Patt Barrett says, 'Mt Oxford has one of the best views from any Canterbury foothill summit'.

We could see down to Mt Sommers and all the way to the Kaikoura ranges, from Arthurs Pass to Banks Peninsula.

Nearing the top

Strolling along the North Ridge

Pausing to check out an old hut