Thick

08 June 2008: Snow in Christchurch sent me running to the shores and hills.

Yesterday's weather report predicted dreadful weather, but dreamy surf. Who would be crazy enough to brave the weather in order to enjoy quality waves at Sumner Beach?

As it turns out, Boudewijn and I were the only ones that crazy. We had a quick look, then warm drinks.

Heading from the rain soaked shore returning inland, snow started to fall and stick. Even the university had a good powdering. The streets started to look like the New England winter I missed after crossing the equator.

Today, Tall and I hauled ourselves up Mount Richardson. I enjoyed the wonderful sound of snow crunching all the way up 1049 meters.

image from: jackie

Peak

02 June 2008: Around Aoraki, it's easy to say the view really grew on me.

Tall, Small, and I arrived in Lake Tekapo Saturday night. Out in the blackness the couple gestured to the lake they're going to pedal 90 kms around in Sunday's mountain bike race. Instead, that night I continued to Unwin Hut at Mount Cook Village.

Sunday, I woke up in a cloud. I enjoyed rainy day walks around the Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier with no one but me to enjoy. Single bliss accompanied by Paul Simon songs. The weather partly cleared on my return, and I wandered along the Kea Point and Sealy Tarns tracks with fabulous views of the ice and snow on Mount Sefton.

Finally, by Monday it was all clear. All 3754 meters of Mount Cook's cloud piercing glory.

images from: jackie

Crackpot

27 December 2007: I'm lying on my pack, in the rain, at dusk, clutching my injured knee on the bouldered banks of the Wanganui River Valley and this guy is talking to me about lemons.

Lemons are what you don't want to add up - the gambling equivalent of hitting all cherries or 7's - winning you the outdoor disaster jackpot. My knee is no slot machine, but I did hear it bling, ring, and pop!

Now faced with the decision of turning back or seeking shelter, I recalled a quote by the great philosopher, Yogi Berra, who said: If you come to a fork in the road, take it.

So, that night, I chose to continue on - though the rain, darkness, and swollen rivers to Hunters Hut.

Many hours and a few more lemons later, Andy (Colorado, Astronomy PhD candidate) and I bivouacked before an impassable river crossing. Maybe tomorrow, we'll get to the hut and make lemonade.

Image from: jackie (bivouac shelter)