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Clay Cliffs and Mount Ollivier 17.-19.12. 2019

From Fiordland straight back north to the Mackenzie Basin via Queenstown and Linds Pass to catch up attractions missed during the pre-conference field trip.

Omarama Clay Cliffsis are one of them.

Hazard information instead of visitor information. Damn it's dangerous here.

Rapid erosion in unconsolidated sediments created badlands.

In one of the trenches.

Glaciofluvial material in layers of gravel and silt was exposed by the uplift by the Ostler Fault.

Between turrets.

Chinese couple, apparently, on a wedding trip.

Stopping also by the Lake Tekapo, which still has much higher water levels than are usual.

The lake is a good spot for photographing blue water together with colourful lupine flowers. The high water, that inundated also this road, unfortunately killed most of the flowers.

Nevertheless, some could still be found.

Russell lupin, Lupinus polyphyllus, mnogolistni volčji bob in Slovenian. Although visually pleasant it is seriously invasive plant endangering especially braided river habitats.

FInally waking up in a sunny morning after carefully planning the second visit of the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.

Not even national parks are safe from these cute little pests.

Setting out on a popular scenic hike to Mount Ollivier.

The hike starts with a steep "escalator" path.

And there it is. Mount Cook.

Through abundant native vegetation.

The Hooker Valley with Mount Cook Village on right.

Sealy Tarns at approximately half way up.

It is a final destination for some ...

.. but we are continuing with a hunt for even more spectacular views.

Snow from the yesterday's precipitation starts at around 1600 m elevation.

Hiking track up and bum sliding track down.

Justyna likes it.

Reaching the ridge with a spectacular view on Mount Sefton.

Mueller Glacier Valley on the right.

A plenty of opportunities for stunning photos.

Towards the Mueller Hut and Mount Ollivier behind it.

The Mueller Hut at 1800 masl.

Where most of the hikers stopped.

Weather station behind the hut.

Heading further towards Mount Oliver.

The majestic face of Mount Sefton (3151 m).

Not satisfied with the foretop.

Setting the trail through fresh snow.

The summit of Mount Ollivier (1933 m).

And yet another photo of the stunning view of the highest mountain of New Zealand.

Peak of Mount Cook (3724 m) is a serious challenge even for experienced mountaineers.

Hooker Lake and well visible remnants of the Hooker Glacier that extended up to the lateral moraines a few decades ago.

Mount Thomson (2642 m) with an interesting hole in its east face.

How many Michelin Stars does a restaurant get for such a view?

Panorama of the Mueller Glacier. From Sealy Range on the left to Mount Selfton on the right.

And the Hooker Valley.

Time for a few portraits.

And his better half.

There were many wet snow avalanches after the snowfall and sunny morning that day.

This is how they accumulate.

Bum sliding back into the valley.

This time with a much better view of the Mount Cook from the lake Pukaki.

Another van from the compilation. A bit more original to my taste than others.

From the other side of the lake.

We stayed overnight in Wanaka.

Lake Wanaka next morning.

And the neighbouring Lake Hawea.

Westerlies were again very strong bringing nice weather east of the Southern Alps and a lot of rain in the west.

Dust storm originating from the river mouth.

Waiting in the Boundary Creek for the road to to West Coast to open.

Trees deform according to the prevailing wind direction.

But we managed to find a calm spot to prepare afternoon snack.