NOTE: Continued from previous post...
Ah, there's that group photo. Seems as if technology is not a fan of this blog...
Anyways, as with the trampers at Avalanche Peak, we shall persevere.
With the treeline now behind them, the group could look up and see the task ahead. Intimidating as it was, too much time had already passed to settle for anything less than the summit. So that is where they headed.
Though not as steep as some of the earlier terrain, the climb remained somewhat grueling. Glad to have escaped the dark and gloom of the forest, there was a new factor to consider: the sun.
Pounding relentlessly, overheating soon became a very real issue. Fortunately, stopping and taking a rest was often beneficial in more ways than one might expect.
And so it continued for some time. Though the path was well-worn, it was a tiring one. Little words were exchanged as the grind continued, slowly creeping closer to the summit.
To stare up towards the top was to be tempted to yield. Though so much sweat, so much energy was being expended, the peak seemed to exist only in the distance. The hike had been going on for several hours now, yet to gaze upwards would lead one to think that no ground at all had been gained.
But discouraged? This group?
Hardly.
As the elevation continued to climb along with the sun in the late morning sky, the travelers stayed true to themselves.
Yes, I am referring to the group shot.
It was said that there would be more. And even more yet...
As evident from this photo, the terrain had changed yet again. The combination of grass, rock, and path had ceased to exist. In its place now remained only the rock, with it mainly a heap of smaller broken bits, leaving some very unstable and unpredictable footing.
This, however, was a good sign; the group was that much closer to the peak.
And they could sense it.
Suddenly, with one final push, the snow-capped mountain tops came firmly into view.
Awe soon set in, yet the feeling was set aside just as quickly. The summit was still several hundred meters away, and there would be plenty of time for gazing aimlessly in a few short minutes.
Yet, with the summit clearly within sight, the trampers stopped for a few more photographs. Though it is hard to make out, rest assured that if any one of the following individuals were to take several steps backwards, they would have plummeted to their death.
Cameron and Fabian.
Jon.
Geoff and Stephen.
Now, having wasted a little more time admiring the view, the group finally walked the last 50 meters to the summit.
Over six hours after dragging themselves out of bed and into a van, they now all stood at the top of Avalanche Peak and reflected on their accomplishment.
And they did so over lunch.
Avalanche Peak towers 1,833 meters above sea level. That's over 6,00o feet. Why include this information?
Well, for starters, to give some perspective on the group's accomplishment. Not the largest peak in the world (or even the country), but not too shabby either.
And also to highlight the absurdity of what happened next.
Sitting there, eating lunch and enjoying our 360-degree view of bliss, a familiar face showed up.
The kea!
Though impossible to say whether it was the exact bird from earlier in the day, it was widely agreed that it must be.
I mean... isn't it a cooler story that way?
Sadly, for three members of the group, this is where the story ends. Awaiting them after lunch was a hike back down the same trail, eventually ending in the van and a safe ride back to Christchurch.
But for Geoff, Jon, and Stephen, the quest would continue. Onwards to Crow Hut for the night, where they intended to sleep under a glacier.
However, the adventure would only begin from there. Approximately 140 kilometers from Christchurch, Sunday afternoon would find all three out of food and with no ride home. How would it turn out?
Check back for the conclusion to the Arthur Passe adventure!
In closing, please enjoy the following photographs, all snapped at the summit of Avalanche Peak.
Ah, there's that group photo. Seems as if technology is not a fan of this blog...
Anyways, as with the trampers at Avalanche Peak, we shall persevere.
With the treeline now behind them, the group could look up and see the task ahead. Intimidating as it was, too much time had already passed to settle for anything less than the summit. So that is where they headed.
Though not as steep as some of the earlier terrain, the climb remained somewhat grueling. Glad to have escaped the dark and gloom of the forest, there was a new factor to consider: the sun.Pounding relentlessly, overheating soon became a very real issue. Fortunately, stopping and taking a rest was often beneficial in more ways than one might expect.
And so it continued for some time. Though the path was well-worn, it was a tiring one. Little words were exchanged as the grind continued, slowly creeping closer to the summit.To stare up towards the top was to be tempted to yield. Though so much sweat, so much energy was being expended, the peak seemed to exist only in the distance. The hike had been going on for several hours now, yet to gaze upwards would lead one to think that no ground at all had been gained.
But discouraged? This group?
Hardly.
As the elevation continued to climb along with the sun in the late morning sky, the travelers stayed true to themselves.
Yes, I am referring to the group shot.
It was said that there would be more. And even more yet...As evident from this photo, the terrain had changed yet again. The combination of grass, rock, and path had ceased to exist. In its place now remained only the rock, with it mainly a heap of smaller broken bits, leaving some very unstable and unpredictable footing.
This, however, was a good sign; the group was that much closer to the peak.
And they could sense it.
Suddenly, with one final push, the snow-capped mountain tops came firmly into view.
Awe soon set in, yet the feeling was set aside just as quickly. The summit was still several hundred meters away, and there would be plenty of time for gazing aimlessly in a few short minutes.Yet, with the summit clearly within sight, the trampers stopped for a few more photographs. Though it is hard to make out, rest assured that if any one of the following individuals were to take several steps backwards, they would have plummeted to their death.
Cameron and Fabian.
Jon.
Geoff and Stephen.
Now, having wasted a little more time admiring the view, the group finally walked the last 50 meters to the summit.
Over six hours after dragging themselves out of bed and into a van, they now all stood at the top of Avalanche Peak and reflected on their accomplishment.
And they did so over lunch.
Avalanche Peak towers 1,833 meters above sea level. That's over 6,00o feet. Why include this information?
Well, for starters, to give some perspective on the group's accomplishment. Not the largest peak in the world (or even the country), but not too shabby either.
And also to highlight the absurdity of what happened next.
Sitting there, eating lunch and enjoying our 360-degree view of bliss, a familiar face showed up.
The kea!
Though impossible to say whether it was the exact bird from earlier in the day, it was widely agreed that it must be.
I mean... isn't it a cooler story that way?
Sadly, for three members of the group, this is where the story ends. Awaiting them after lunch was a hike back down the same trail, eventually ending in the van and a safe ride back to Christchurch.
But for Geoff, Jon, and Stephen, the quest would continue. Onwards to Crow Hut for the night, where they intended to sleep under a glacier.
However, the adventure would only begin from there. Approximately 140 kilometers from Christchurch, Sunday afternoon would find all three out of food and with no ride home. How would it turn out?
Check back for the conclusion to the Arthur Passe adventure!
In closing, please enjoy the following photographs, all snapped at the summit of Avalanche Peak.
No comments:
Post a Comment