2013/12/Mt Pembroke, Fiordland

Mt Pembroke sea to summit, Milford Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand

Milford Sound with Mt Pembroke in the distance
Fiordland Mt Pembroke Milford Sound backcountry snowsports sea kayaking 2013 coast
Ruari in the back seat of the double, Harrison Cove
Fiordland Mt Pembroke Milford Sound backcountry snowsports sea kayaking 2013 coast
Gearing up in Harrison Cove
Fiordland Mt Pembroke Milford Sound backcountry snowsports sea kayaking 2013 coast
Mt Pembroke and Harrison Cove, Milford Sound
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry sea kayaking 2013 shorelines coast Milford Sound
Mt Pembroke's as seen from the Harrison valley. The Lippe Couloir follows the obvious weakness before merging with the east ridge and upper headwall
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry 2013 mountains
Taking a break in the Harrison
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry snowsports 2013
At camp in the upper Harrison valley
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry snowsports 2013
Granite wall in the upper valley
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry 2013
Morning vista from the campsite - a welcome sight after a full day of travel in the rain
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry 2013
Taking a break on the lower slabs .. still wet from the day before
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry snowsports 2013
Sunny slopes and perfect snow conditions on the upper snowfield, Pembroke Glacier
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry snowsports 2013
Contemplating mountains and sea on the summit of Pembroke
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry snowsports 2013
Snow and sea juxtaposition
Fiordland, NZ
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry 2013 shorelines coast mountains
glaciers featured
Ruari in the moment after riding the upper glacier, Milford Sound beyond
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry snowsports 2013
Ruari on the central spine in Lippe Couloir, just in time for moonrise
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry snowsports 2013
The amazing mid reaches of the Harrison, where the river has formed its own cauldron through solid granite
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry 2013
Harrison River
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry 2013 nature
Harrison River
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry 2013
Boulder hopping in the lower Harrison
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry snowsports 2013
Harrison River
Fiordland, NZ
Fiordland Mt Pembroke alpine backcountry 2013 rivers

Some may rival but few places could surpass Fiordland for incredible landscapes and nature at its untamed best. Between the mountains and the sea travelling these parts is the stuff adventures are made of!

For this trip we combined both for a climb and snowboard descent with access via sea kayak from Milford Sound. Thanks to the prodigious rainfall in these parts its truly cause for celebration when the weather gods smile and the mountains unveil their secrets. After a full day of bush-bashing up-valley in the rain our weather window came through and we were lucky to be in position for the two perfect days ahead. No distractions, just the raw challenge of exploring a beautiful mountain above a wild sea. Its a place where imaginations run wild and spirits soar. It certainly is one of New Zealand's most enigmatic mountains and being there we agreed, was one of our best adventures ever.

As Ruari would say "words fail Fiordland". Though if a picture tells a thousand words then at least in some small way a photographer can make a start.

Follow the link to Ruari's blog for his perspective on this special part of the world ...

http://ruarimacfarlane.wordpress.com/2013/12/07/lippe-couloir-mt-pembroke-fiordland/

Enjoy!

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2013/12/Mt Pembroke, Fiordland