Whilst waiting for the snow to arrive (still waiting) we headed across the ditch to the Melbourne on the West Island to visit Mount Arapellies, arguable the best crag in NZ and one of the best and most famous trad climbing areas in the World! Fantastic rock, great gear, fantastic exposure and world class climbing, what more could you ask for!
A Kangaroo under Bard Buttress. They would roam around the campsite at night and be out grazing around dawn as we were heading out to the crags.
Tim pulling though the roofs on Tiger Buttress.
Colyfull Parrot.
Helen at the end of the famous akward traverse pitch on the classic The Bard (12).
Helen on the crux pitch of The Bard. Traditional 12.
Tim on Castle Rock.
View through Castle Rock.
Sunset at the Pines campsite.
Helenn nearing the top of the classic corner of Watchtower Crack, thank goodnes for size 5 Camalots!
Abseiling down the Watchtower Face.
Helen, not as gripped as Tim, on the runout section of the Bolga on the Watchtower Face. Take lots of small cams unless you are great at fiddling in small rps and peanuts and don't mind being 3m above your last one.
Helen on the first pitch of the classic
Watch where you're walking! Golden Orb spider.
Helen on the Golden Fleece Wall.
Moon setting at sunrise on Bard Buttress.
Sunrise at Mount Arapellies.
Elle De Beaumont, Franz and Fox Glaciers, Tasman and Mount Cook.
A Kangaroo under Bard Buttress. They would roam around the campsite at night and be out grazing around dawn as we were heading out to the crags.
Tim pulling though the roofs on Tiger Buttress.
Colyfull Parrot.
Helen at the end of the famous akward traverse pitch on the classic The Bard (12).
Helen on the crux pitch of The Bard. Traditional 12.
Tim on Castle Rock.
View through Castle Rock.
Sunset at the Pines campsite.
Helenn nearing the top of the classic corner of Watchtower Crack, thank goodnes for size 5 Camalots!
Abseiling down the Watchtower Face.
Helen, not as gripped as Tim, on the runout section of the Bolga on the Watchtower Face. Take lots of small cams unless you are great at fiddling in small rps and peanuts and don't mind being 3m above your last one.
Helen on the first pitch of the classic
Watch where you're walking! Golden Orb spider.
Helen on the Golden Fleece Wall.
Moon setting at sunrise on Bard Buttress.
Sunrise at Mount Arapellies.
Elle De Beaumont, Franz and Fox Glaciers, Tasman and Mount Cook.