Arthur's Pass Day 2 - Scott's Track to Avalanche Peak

Free Camping in the woods!  Met a few people from the States,  Holland, NZ and France.

Early start the next morning to get up the track before the weather gets bad.

A good bacon, beans, granola, peanut butter and coffee breakfast.

Warning signs for avalanches, thus the name Avalanche Peak but don't worry the trail had been cleared for use by the Department of Conservation.  Scott's Track is estimated at 4 hours one way, climbing 1100 meters ( about 3300 ft).  

First view of the valley below.  You can see the few buildings which makes up Arthur's Pass Village.

A little higher looking the other way down the valley towards the west coast,  keeping the clouds at bay.  Misty Mountains!

Made it above the tree line and hiking along the  first ridge.

The second ridge... if you look close and follow the top of the ridge you can see two  people , this will give you a sense of scale.  The clouds where moving quick and pockets of sun were beginning to show.

Looking back at the others as we climb our way to the top.

Again looking at the path we had taken.  There were pockets of snow  still left over , perfect for making snowballs.  

The trail is marked when you get above the tree line by the posts with orange tips.

Made it to the top 1833meters (6000 ft) above sea level!  The clouds were still moving through quickly but overall a beautiful day  and luckily it was not windy at all at the top.

The Keas were there in full force.  At least 3 in this picture and probably  7 in total at the peak.  It was a little nerve racking having these big parrots flying around you while you are straddling the ridge.

This is looking east over the Southern Alps back toward the Waimakariri River  Valley.

Lucas and Elena at the top.  Looking through the clouds northwest towards Mount Temple. 

Mustafa and me in the background with the Kea close by.   He was curious as to why i was in his spot to sit or maybe he just wanted food.

On the way down, clouds were rolling through and  the view disappeared. 

The rocks in the clouds, hard to image the view of  the beautiful mountain range  there a second ago.

The clouds cleared and the sun came out for the trek down.  This is looking at the  east to  the Waimakariri River.

Looking back up the trail where we had just come from.

Mt. Temple in the background.

All of us with Mt. Rolleston in the back.

Mt. Rolleston

Aerial view (from across the valley) of the Devil's Punchbowl Falls from the previous day.

The meadow, the valley and the sun....simply amazing!

Lucas and the creepy moss covered bush trees on the trail .

The final view of the waterfall just before we made it back down to the road.     An amazing  little trip.  These pictures don't really do it justice but enjoy.