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
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14 comments:

  1. Donald18 July 2010 at 14:41

    Dear Bob

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

    Cheers

    Donald

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  2. Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer18 July 2010 at 18:39

    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

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  3. Niall Shepherd18 July 2010 at 21:34

    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

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer18 July 2010 at 22:32

    Dear Niall

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

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  5. Anonymous19 July 2010 at 01:10

    Loved the pictures!! Bhupi

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer19 July 2010 at 10:59

    Thanks Bhupi.

    It is not unlike Himachal Pradesh. Bob

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  7. Ruahines19 July 2010 at 20:15

    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

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  8. Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer19 July 2010 at 21:49

    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

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  9. Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer20 July 2010 at 16:26

    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

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  10. Marja20 July 2010 at 18:06

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

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer22 July 2010 at 14:04

    Good morning Marja

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

    ReplyDelete
  12. Van rental San Francisco30 July 2010 at 05:02

    Nice area And Tourist place i like this all place It's very beautiful.
    =================
    van rental San Francisco

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous25 August 2010 at 02:02

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous7 October 2024 at 03:39

    I enjoyed this tour west coast bus tours. This place is very amazing attractive for everyone. By the way, I can't forget him.

    ReplyDelete