07 June 2016

Cold in the Ruahine

On Sunday I drove north and walked, almost non-stop, for five-and-a-half hours over the tops to a bitterly cold bivvy in the northern Ruahine. I arrived just before dark, surprising Jono and Laura, who'd assumed I hadn't managed to get away. They'd walked in on Friday from a different direction, and had endured an icy walk up the river to the biv. At least I'd had no rivers to wade. We survived the night, although anything damp — socks, boots, etc. — froze overnight.

This photograph shows a section of the track along the tops during my walk in.

[1/60 sec at f6.3, ISO 250]



All content © 2016 Pete McGregor

8 comments:

Beth said...

Yikes, Pete! Looks very chilly indeed.

pohanginapete said...

It was, Beth!

Lisa said...

Oh, I love the patterns of the ice - and the light ahead.

Zhoen said...

Ummmm....

But then, it's 95˚F here. (35C)

pohanginapete said...

Thanks Lisa. If I hadn't been in a hurry to get to the biv before dark, I'd have spent more time photographing the ice.

Zhoen, wanna swap?

Avus said...

Well, looks a bit like a British winter. Did you enjoy it Pete; are you a masochist?
It certainly looks "bracing"!

pohanginapete said...

Avus, I've never been one for masochism — it's too uncomfortable ;-)

I suppose I take some satisfaction out of accomplishing walks in these conditions, and it was certainly spectacular in places, but I don't see any particular virtue in bitter cold. As you know, I have a low opinion of Nietzsche.

Zhoen said...

Yes.