Avalanche Peak

Despite the smiles, it was hard work, and this photo isn't even at the top of Avalanche Peak!

Feb 6th is Waitangi Day in NZ - the national day commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi back in 1840. It's still controversial between Maori and Pakeha, but progress is being made. It's a stat holiday so we went off to the mountains, with Phil, a friend from Gloucester (thanks for being photographer Phil!). Big walk. Huge. Not really a walk, more a tramp. Even then Liz would argue with me and say it was a big scramble. Phil of course, is a mountain goat whereas Liz and I aren't. It took us 9 hours up and down. I reckon it was worth the stiffness the next couple of days, but Liz might disagree!

I went up Avalanche Peak in the spring, so there was more snow around than mid summer and significantly less sweat! Far too hot for mountains in February. At the top we met some Israeli backpackers who loved the mountains. Then a kea (NZ mountain parrot) came along, and as keas do, strutted for their cameras. Although an endangered species, they don't always seem it as they love people. Then, without warning, it picked up their camera case in its beak and flew off with it! Next came some (what I assume were) Hebrew expletives for that was the end of the camera case, batteries and memory card. They'll not forget keas in a hurry. Typical kea.

Was a physically exhausting day, but great to be away from campus / office for a day. Thanks for suggesting it Phil.