Hot off the precipice

Call the search party off. Avalanche Peak has been safety negotiated, and the first self-congratulatory beer imbibed. A fantastic 3,500 climb up to around 6,000ft with stunning views across the Southern Alps. And what a beautiful day to do it! I started out at 9am, walking steeply up through trees and bush. Then, after an hour or so, came a glimpse 50 yards ahead of a bald, sheer-faced mountain and I emerged onto a small ledge, with a 1,500 ft drop the other side. My breathe was briefly taken at the change from enclosed forest walk to ridge-top hike. After a few vertiginous glances down, I stuck off uphill, following the markers for another hour to the top of the peak, joining two early birds at the top snapping away on our cameras like kids with a new toy. And these aren't really the big hills yet! More to come!