Sunday 18 July 2010

A journey to the West Coast of New Zealand


On Thursday last week I travelled by the Tranzalpine from Christchurch to Greymouth. Photo: Bob McKerrow

On Friday morning Kira, Leith and I walked down to Mananui beach, 5 km south of Hokitika and took this photo. It captures the wild mood of the West Coast. There I could pick out peaks I had climbed: Cook Aoraki, Tasman, Elie de Beaumont, Douglas, Haidinger, Haast, Lendenfeld, Dampier, Vancouver, Malispina, McFettrick, St. Mildred, Red Lion and Drummond. For five days I had clear views of the Southern Alps as I moved down the coast. Here are some photos of the journey.

Approaching Arthur's Pass. Photo: Bob McKerrow
The bridge across the Taramakau River. Photo: Bob McKerrow

A map of Westland.
Sunrise at Mananui Beach, 5 km south of Hokitika.Photo: Bob McKerrow

With my daughter Kira, and her son Leith at Mananui Beach.
Lake Maninapua. Photo: Bob McKerrow



Mount Cook Aoraki, Mt. Tasman. Photo: Bob McKerrow




Forest walk to Mananui beach. Photo: Bob McKerrow

Early morning on the Waitaha River. I know this valley well having climbed at the head of County Stream. In 1993 I was in a party that did the first winter ascent and traverse of Red Lion Peaks. Photo: Bob McKerrow



Lake Ianthe, north of Hari Hari. Photo: Bob McKerrow


The Wanganui River with Hendes Ferry on the right. This was where Carl Hende had his residence and was available with horse to assist people to cross. Photo : Bob McKerrow

Teichelmann country. Blue Lookout and the Lord and Lambert Ranges. Photo: Bob McKerrow









The view from the Wanganui river flats looking to the Lord and Lambert ranges. Photo: Bob McKerrow



The Kakapotahi River. Photo: Bob McKerrow
Kira and Paul have built a house on a hill top, south of Hokitika with a splendid view over the Southern Alps. See Mount Cook Aoraki and Tasman on the right. I spent a few days helping them with painting.

Tasman (l) and Mount Cook Aoraki (r). Photo: Bob McKerrow



The braided Waiho River which drains the Franz Josef, Callery, Spenser and Burton Glaciers. Photo: Bob McKerrow

Franz Josef Glacier. Photo: Bob McKerrow

Franz Josef Glacier from Castle Rocks Hut. Photo: Bob McKerrow

From Almer Hut looking to the Franz neve and the Southern Alps.Photo: Bob McKerrow

13 comments:

Donald said...

Dear Bob

You have indeed arrived "home" - it shows in the quality of your photos. Nice!

Cheers

Donald

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Thanks Donald. It is a wonderful sense of Turanawaiwai being back on the Coast.

I have a new camera which can handle the fickle light here. Take care.

Bob

Niall Shepherd said...

Ahhhh... now I am really homesick. Hokitika is another of my old stomping grounds. I had forgotten just how dramatic the West Coast scenery can be. Cheers Bob

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Dear Niall

Thanks for dropping by. Yes, you have to be here to realise how dramatic the scenery is. Cheers mate ! Bob

Anonymous said...

Loved the pictures!! Bhupi

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Thanks Bhupi.

It is not unlike Himachal Pradesh. Bob

Ruahines said...

Kia ora Bob,
Breathtaking. With todays news that at least for now the nats have listened to the voices of those against mining our wilderness, even more breathtaking. This is what we are fighting to keep pure. We must continue to be vigilant. Kia kaha.
Robb

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Thanks Robb. It is good to see National is listening to people, but they are likely to have a whole manefesto of broken promises the way they are heading. Kia kaha. Bob

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Dear 黃威宇

河水永遠是相同的,可是每一剎那又都是新的。

Thanks for dropping by and giving feedback. many thanks. Bob

Marja said...

Oh my What a paradise Can't wait to go there myself one day in winter. Thanks for sharing

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Good morning Marja

It is a very scenic part of NZ, and to enjoy the Coast, you need to spend time there. Cheers, Bob

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Anonymous said...

Dear Mr McKerrow, just viewed this pics as part of my reserach on the glaciers..yes i get distracted..but now am nostalgic for the south. i miss the snow and mountains. best minnie.