Camping in Autumn

A beautiful spot , high camp below Mt Tapuaenuku and Mt Alarm

A beautiful spot , high camp below Mt Tapuaenuku and Mt Alarm

The weather this Autumn has been very settled giving me a busy time busy traveling and camping with family and friends. The last 6 weeks have definitely had a holidaying air to them. Unfortunately again one of my best friends passed away recently , Oggi from Mongolia with whom I spent many years racing with in countries all over the world and whom I twice visited him in Mongolia - an exceptional and unique guy . He was involved in an automobile accident whilst coaching the Mongolian cycling team. For awhile Mongolian cycling was Oggi and he will be sorely missed by all his family and friends in Mongolia and around the world. Condolences to Ariuna his wife and Tsatsaa his daughter. RIP

Oggi , on a bike !! This picture taken during my last visit to Mongolia over 10 years ago on the rolling steppes west of Ulan Batar.

Oggi , on a bike !! This picture taken during my last visit to Mongolia over 10 years ago on the rolling steppes west of Ulan Batar.

Pictures of Autumn trips.

Dawn from a camp on Mt Arthur ridge. An easy overnight trip for Leo , Isabelle and myself.

Dawn from a camp on Mt Arthur ridge. An easy overnight trip for Leo , Isabelle and myself.

Keas - the New Zealand Alpine parrots make friends with the kids.

Keas - the New Zealand Alpine parrots make friends with the kids.

Leo , discovering the incredible karst country of weather worn limestone en route to the summit.

Leo , discovering the incredible karst country of weather worn limestone en route to the summit.

Drone photo - our tent is the blue dot.

Drone photo - our tent is the blue dot.

Moke lake , near Queenstown , a lovely camping spot.

Moke lake , near Queenstown , a lovely camping spot.

Isabelle on the Moke lake walking circuit.

Isabelle on the Moke lake walking circuit.

Kids and friends , high in Nelson lakes.

Kids and friends , high in Nelson lakes.

The midnight bonfire

The midnight bonfire

Isabelle at our Nelson lakes campsite.

Isabelle at our Nelson lakes campsite.

Dawn

Dawn

Kids on the rocks

Kids on the rocks

doing some rock climbing at the same site

doing some rock climbing at the same site

A mission in the Raglan ranges gave this lovely view to the East ,and the snowy peaks of Mt Tapuaenuku and Alarm to the left and Manakau to the right. In Autumn normally these are the only peaks high enough in the Northern south Island to get a perm…

A mission in the Raglan ranges gave this lovely view to the East ,and the snowy peaks of Mt Tapuaenuku and Alarm to the left and Manakau to the right. In Autumn normally these are the only peaks high enough in the Northern south Island to get a permanent cover of snow..

Carl and Ryan about to start the hike up the Hodder river.

Carl and Ryan about to start the hike up the Hodder river.

Embrace the river one is told if you want to climb Tapuaenuku The Hodder involves 80 to 100 crossings over about 5 hours to reach the site of the huts.

Embrace the river one is told if you want to climb Tapuaenuku The Hodder involves 80 to 100 crossings over about 5 hours to reach the site of the huts.

We slogged on above the huts which are situated at about 1450m to pitch camp at about 2000m. The snow was deep and fresh , very hard work with heavy packs.

We slogged on above the huts which are situated at about 1450m to pitch camp at about 2000m. The snow was deep and fresh , very hard work with heavy packs.

Carl climbing a large snow gully on the way up to the top.

Carl climbing a large snow gully on the way up to the top.

Hot work for Ryan , we hadn’t got to the ridge where a bitter wind awaited us.

Hot work for Ryan , we hadn’t got to the ridge where a bitter wind awaited us.

Ryan contemplating the view with Alarm behind.

Ryan contemplating the view with Alarm behind.

Carl plods on , most of Tapuaenuku was just hard work with soft snow under a thin crust making it extra hard.

Carl plods on , most of Tapuaenuku was just hard work with soft snow under a thin crust making it extra hard.

The summit sweeping majestically up above us.

The summit sweeping majestically up above us.

Ryan ahead

Ryan ahead

Carl Behind

Carl Behind

Beyond the Seaward Kiakorua’s, the Grand Pacific!

Beyond the Seaward Kiakorua’s, the Grand Pacific!

Looking way North - to Motueka!

Looking way North - to Motueka!

West to Mitre peak

West to Mitre peak

From the summit North to Pinnacle.

From the summit North to Pinnacle.

Dusk falls , happy campers Ryan and Carl after a success full day.

Dusk falls , happy campers Ryan and Carl after a success full day.

In Dunedin with family , Leo, Isabelle , Aleksander and Marco.

In Dunedin with family , Leo, Isabelle , Aleksander and Marco.

Found someone on the beach.

Found someone on the beach.

Beach times.

Beach times.

Beach again

Beach again

Leo finds the Moreaki boulders

Leo finds the Moreaki boulders

and Isabelle

and Isabelle

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The art of camping.

The art of camping.

Lake Ohau at Dawn.

Lake Ohau at Dawn.