South Island Alpine Rock

Dave and Steve did an accidental tour of South Island rock when the weather slowly pushed the trip from Fiordland to Mnt. Aspiring.   With bad weather battering the island they were able to avoid the rain and take advantage of great climbing conditions. Going with the theory that "it must be good weather somewhere" the duo along with guides Xavier Founier and Whitney Thurlow spent 7 days beginning with the classic Talbot - McPhereson Traverse deep in Fiordland, moving to the Remarkables and doing 6 rope stretching 60m pitches on the East Face followed with the summit traverse and then a 2100m climb to the summit of Mnt. Avalanche in Mnt. Aspiring Park.  With bad weather all around the four managed to stay on dry rock the entire time, a great trick when it works!

Homer Saddle and Moirs mate rising out of the clouds

Climbing "Talbots Ladder" which was the the original way that land access to Milford Sound was gained before the tunnel was installed

Pitch 3 Remarkables  grade 17

Spot the climber on the exposed Remarkables summit traverse

Climbing above the Bonar Glacier on the way to Avalanche Peak.  David comfortable with his masculinity wearing a scarf like that!

Summit Cracks on Avalanche Peak

Ron and Murray at Pioneer Hut

 There are not many places these two have not visited but Fox Glacier has been on the list for a while.  Ron was an early hut warden at homer hut in Fiordland in the early 60's and is still going hard.

Murray on Lendenfeld summit with Tasman in the background