NZ Powder Day!

Well, after getting up at midnight and driving up the Rees river valley as far as possible in the Subaru Legacy, staggering in the dark up a narrow valley and fording the river at least 4 times in thigh-deep icy water, we came to an insurmountable obstacle. Jonathan's knee was hurting and there didn't seem to be any way to manage the pain. Worried about worsening the injury and uncomfortable with splitting up the group, we turned around. While there was all kinds of work preparing and planning that gave us forward momentum, it was better to stay together and choose a better day. We did find good snow as a consolation up at Remarks:

Quick Post -Headed for Earnslaw

There are some other posts I just published below this one. They'll catch you up on the first three days here. I am getting ready for a big peak mission up Mount Earnslaw 2819 metres (Pikirakatahi):







There's also a slideshow to show you the condo where I'm crashing and the incredible views outside:

Here's a good start -and everything's upside down

Take gale-force winds, way-above-freezing temps, and spitting rain and a trio of ski-tourers: mix together, careful not to overdo it on any one of the ingredients, then pour down a steep mountain feature. Here we go:


Then on Wed., I tried to ride a bike. Remember that everything is upside down here: September is the beginning of SPRING; North is the sunny, warm direction; light switches are on when they are flicked down, and -the best one- you drive on the left. So I tried to ride on the left and had a good little crash, but at least I was obeying the mandatory helmet law. Everything's OK, except for a coupla scrapes and a broken spoke on the bike. Here's some more gory details, if you want:

Welcome to New Zealand, mate!

Did it! Finally here! I have been here a week and things are happening, but I have slacked on scribing. So now I'll catch up the blog to the last five days:
Flew in at 10 in the morning Monday, the 22nd and met Sheena just as I walked outside. Events fit together like clockwork from that point on. She drove me to their place while I gawked at the peaks that loom at least 2000m (6000') above the valley, which is filled with an enormous lake covering the bottom of the glacial valley. I was completely disoriented by the 18-hour flight and time/date change. So when Jonathan wanted to go up on Deer Park Hill, I just followed along. It's a reserve slash petting zoo on this old glacier knob that stands almost in the lake between Queenstown and Remarkables, where they did some filming for Lord of the Rings. Here are the pics:

See the trip from Colorado to California here:

and then to New Zealand:

Whither the equinox?

Just realized I skipped over the equinox! No Sept. 21 for me so it's already a day closer to "winter". haha, since I'm here for winter right now! I just saw the countdown over on Wildsnow so I had to comment. Of course, winter was well on the march by the time I left CO, with the Gooney Riders reporting a bit of kicking steps in snow with mountain bike shoes! Hoo-rah winter!

18 hours ahead -and feelin' it!

Well,
All I know is I boarded a plane in San Fran and we flew for a long time, but it was kinda disorienting so I don't know if I should fully trust my instincts. It was still dark when we landed, even though my clock said 1100 hours and people were speaking English but in funny accents all around me, plus the parallel-universe Today show on the tube says it's 800 Monday morning. So I'm pretty sure I got on the right plane and am now in New Zealand. Should get more confirmation in just a couple hours as I catch a flight south to Queenstown (MAP) and look for the big peaks of the Southern Alps out the window: Mt Cook, Mt Aspiring, Mt Tasman...
The thing I was struck by just after disembarking here in Auckland is how bike- and pedestrian-friendly the airport and city seem. This bike stand was right outside the int'l terminal:

From Flying to New Zealand Sept 08

I guess if you are living a car-free, but not plane-free, lifestyle, you will need to reassemble your bike on arrival at the airport so you can bike home.
Also, for you committed bike commuters, look at the cruisers being used on the ramp to move from gate to gate by the ground crew (I think they could use some handlebar tassles, don't you?):

From Flying to New Zealand Sept 08

Upcoming plans: well, I arrive to Queenstown later today (middle of the night, Sunday in the US). The immediate plans include settling, getting bearings, and getting to know the town they call "the adventure capital of New Zealand". Apres` la, there will be some skiing, a hitchiking visit to a brewpub in Wanaka and then a moment to plan our big peak trip...stay tuned!

Road Trip is over!

Leg one complete: drive to friend's house in Oakland. It really wasn't easier than flying (19 hours of driving), and it was more expensive ($200 in gas alone!) than taking Amtrak ($120 for a 34-hour train ride and 350-lb gear allowance). Nevertheless, I made it, leaving 8:30 last night after a few hiccups in the departure schedule: lost my phone, ran out of gas while running final errands, and everything just took longer than planned -natch. Slept briefly under the stars in WY near Wamsutter. I will soon post some pictures that chronicle parts of the trip (missing: the beautiful foliage by Park City and the endless stretch of straight road on I-80 through the salt flats in western Utah). I knew I was close to California when everyone started driving really fast and passing on the right or left like they were trying to be fair and balanced. Arrived at 30 min. past midnite and stayed up to begin adjusting the sleep schedule to NZ time (GMT-12). Now, just need to get some skins...