**Sunset on Mt Rolleston and the Southern Alps**

Winter long

A long wet winter - and now a cold spring , yes it’s been raining and not just literally but figuratively as well. But the days are now lengthening into spring and to a certain extent there’s a general improvement in the air after a couple of rather hard years.

Finally, after long months house bound it seems I’ve had the chance to get out a bit more often. Often In the mountains I get the frustration of being an amateur - that sense that I’m very limited in what I can do because of lack of time and that improvement in capabilities comes at a very incremental rate. Each trip out one just starts getting fit, strong and technically more proficient and then it seems one has to stop and wait! There are advantages to be strictly amateur though- you have none of the preconditions on what you must do in every sense of the word that comes with anyone in the professional world. Not been bound by what the world leads to a great deal of freedom to follow one's own course and follow the passion rather than the reason. Below are some pictures and videos of the last few months efforts - now running well into spring although until the last few days its been winter like.

The Southern Alps

Winter saw a quick trip south to one of the classic routes in the Southern Alps and a fine day out on Mount Rolleston.

Mount Rolleston via the Rome ridge

The Nelson Lakes

A couple of quick trips to our local alps over winter in the Nelson lakes - also part of the Southern Alps but with a different feel from the glaciated peaks further south..

Mt Kehu

Mt Angelus in mid winter

Mt Arthur and the Arthur range

The local mountain provides most of the entertainment again - with short days made shorter and with a busy winter job wise it’s the most I manage usually. This year has seen a pretty long and reasonably heavy amount of snow on “Arthur” which has provided good entertainment.- for friends, family and myself.

The Twins - high point of the Arthur range viewed over an old barn in the Baton valley.

Mt Arthur in mid winter

Mt Arthur first snow

The Raglans ranges in spring conditions.