Hi All

Well just a little update on my climbing holiday/ road trip. I’m now in NZ (have been since 23rd) and have just got back from first outing in the Alp’s.

I have been based out of the Authurs Pass area and set off on Xmas day for an attemp of Mt Murchison 2408m, which is the highest peak in the area. It was a slog into the area with a day and a half of walking, bolder hopping, river fording and general falling over!

We were based out of the Barker Hut which sits at 1500m asl, and is situated right on the end of a buttress looking back down the valley…. superb loc! To keep it short, it snowed on Boxing day though as crazy Auzzies do we still had to go out for an explore and pretty much the next 2 days after that just spent waiting for a break in the weather.

On the 29th the weather broke and had a superb freeze the night before, which made superb cramponing conditions and we were able to do the 900m of climbing in just over 3 1/2 hours with us sitting on the summit just after 0930. The views were superb with not a cloud in the sky and we were able to see Mt Cook and further.

The walk down was less fun as the morning sun melted the snow resulting in a trudge of knee deep snow but its all part of the parcel.

As for the rest of the trip… I was planning on staying at the hut and attempting 2 more peaks before heading out but my climbing parters feet were a little worse for wear and was not up to it so I sadly had to resort to walking out…. which is why I am now in town.

As for the rest, heading down to Christchurh for a couple of days to fatten up again before back up here for some more Mtn adventures. My trip to Mt Cook has been cancelled due to my next climbing parnter not being able to make it so I guess that will have to wait till next year!!

Hope all is well back there, looking forward to catching up later in Jan and also thanks to Reto for the weekend of the 15th dec for his hospitality in putting me up and our antics at Peak Head!!

See Ya round