Ball Pass

Tim was between jobs in Wanaka so we met up in Mount Cook for a one day traverse of the classic Ball Pass. We drove up Ball Road in Caddy, leaving her to be picked up the next day.

Tasman Lake from the eastern slopes of Ball Pass.

Looking up the Tasman Glacier towards De La Beche.

We had to contend with a bit of rain and cloud descending into the Hooker Valley before the long trudge back to White Horse campground.

Mount Earnslaw

Helen was working for a few days at the Mossburn windfarm near Te Anau so she managed to wangle an early flight paid for by work to have the weekend near Queenstown.

Tim met her at the airport and we drove up the Wakitipu, past Glenorchy and as far up the Rees Valley as caddy could make it!

Climbing above Kea Basin with the Rees Valley below.


Approaching Wright Col with Mount Aspiring beyond.

Esquilant Bivi at sunset.


Climbing the north face of the East Peak of Mount Earnslaw via scree, snow patches, ice gullies and rock ribs. The notorious rotten rock, thankfully well glued in by the cold temps.
East Summit summit ridge.

Looking towards the West Peak and the mountains of the Darrans beyond.
View south over Lake Wakitipu.

Descending the ice gullies.