Established in 1929, becoming the first national park in the South Island and the third in New Zealand. The park is very distinctly split by the Southern Alps of the South Island. The eastern side is typically drier and consists of beech forest and wide riverbeds, while the western side contains dense rainforest. Much of the geography was formed by ancient glacial action, forming flat bottomed U-shaped valleys. In the middle is a high range, consisting of large snow covered peaks and scree slopes.
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Sheep Drive By
Sheep outnumber residents of New Zealand six to one. They are extremely important to the culture and life style of Kiwis. Here my friend Nick and I take a picture of sheep in a green field as we pass on a mini-bus from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass to go hiking.
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Wide Riverbeds
Hiking through a gigantic riverbed. Even though it stormed on us and made the rivers rise so we got soaked, we were glad we never saw it fill this riverbed. Noah himself wouldn't be able to do anything when this fills. |
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Arrival in Arthur's Pass
Decked out and ready to start a week hike hike through the Southern Alps.
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Stream hopping
The first day of hiking out of the township included hopping dozens of little creeks. We tried to not get our boots wet but failed miserably. Nick even managed to get his pants and shirt soaked due to a slippery rock.
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Into the Mountains
After finishing our creek hopping we proceeded into the mountains. While not as impressive as the European Alps, the Southern Alps are beautiful and not to be trifled with. Sir Edmund Hilary, of Mount Everest fame, learned to climb in these mountains.
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Approaching the Southern Alps
We had chosen a route beyond our ability as we later found out. We had no rope and were not prepared as this terrain is true uninhabited back country.
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River Crossing
The rivers and steams are not to be messed with. Here the government or people have placed a way to get across one of the rivers. It is moved by pumping a ratchet in the carriage.
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Mountain at dusk
Hiking and camping are beautiful for multiple reasons. The views of nature, the solitude and quietness, the exercise, exploring the unknown. But the best part just might be the incredibly peaceful and serene sleep at the end of the day. Never have I known peace as I have known when camping.
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Danger ahead
Neither Nick nor I were scouts in the military, or hiking guides, but we knew enough that when we saw clouds like these and raindrops on our faces that we should stay out of the riverbed. A flash flood did not happen but the rivers did raise quite a bit. Common sense is wonderful.
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Hiking the Military Crest
Not wanting to be swept away in a flash flood we climb on the side of the hills. It was not easy going, but we came to hike, not to swim.
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Tiny Waterfall
This tiny waterfall was probably made by the storm we were in and not a permanent fixture of the area. New Zealand has many rainy days per year, and sometimes downpours and typhoons, but that is what makes it such a green, lush country. I love it.
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A Ravine
Our hike led into a ravine that kept getting smaller and smaller with higher and higher walls. So we decided to scale the wall and go overland. Nick can be seen in the lower left corner.
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Climbing for Life
Climbing out of the ravine was not a simple matter. But we made it, even finding snow on the top, and continued overland.
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Heaven
The New Zealand Park Service has built overnight huts along trails all over the country. They ask for a small donation for their use. We were more than willing to give everything we had considering it had a stove, beds, lines to dry our clothes. It was a mansion in our eyes when we entered it. Being cold, soaked to the bone, and tired, we could have kissed the guy who built it.
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Solo
Hiking Indian file through the park. This National Park has differing terrain, altitude changes, and precipitates. The day hikes are fine for tourists, but most of the overnight trails need at least a moderate level of experience. At one heart racing section we had to scoot along a ledge with toes and fingernails digging into the rock to keep from falling to a certain demise.
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Seeing Through the Trees
Happy to be out of the dreaded riverbeds we proceeded through a forest. What a welcome change it was to walk on dry dirt with trees around us instead of walking on slippery stones and falling into streams. |
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Above the Clouds
A view of the cloud covering the valleys of Arthur's Pass.
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The Township
A view of Arthur's Pass township. There is nothing but a hostel and post office there. It serves as base camp for hikers to the National Park.
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A Larger Waterfall
This waterfall looks to be a permanent specimen. If waterfalls are your interest I would skip everywhere else in New Zealand and go straight to Milford Sound.
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Kea Bird
The incredible Kea bird. The smartest bird in the world. It does not do parlor tricks like a parrot, but is actually intelligent. It can problem solve, and work in teams with other Kea birds to solve complex problems. This one here opened the zipper on my pack and took out some crackers while I was eating my ice cream.
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