Glenorchy Deer Hunt

This morning Greg went into a new hunting area out the back of Glenorchy.  It turned out to be one of the most promising places we've been into as far as access, distance from home and sheer stunningness (in Greg's words!) are concerned.  

Greg's truck at 7:30am (sun rises early here at this time of year!)

A waterfall half way up - this one was 100ft high and quite a large volume of water too.  Greg said it reminded him a lot of Hunua Falls (near Auckland).

Something you don't get at Hunua Falls - a big grassy plateau opening up onto snow and ice fields!
Greg busted out on this plateau just in time to see 3 deer disappearing up to the right of the picture (much to his disgust).  Maybe next time!

Cecil Peak DoC Goat Shoot

Last weekend the local DeerStalkers branch was invited by DoC to carry out a bit of pest control for them.  The only catch was that it was over at Cecil Peak Station (on the other side of the lake) and we had to get ourselves there.  Thankfully, it turns out enough people in DeerStalkers had a boat of some description so we signed up.
We arrived at the boat ramp bright and early on Saturday morning and waited for the strange assortment of boats (jet boats, ski boats, little boats, our boat...) and people in hi-visibility gear to turn up.  We thought we'd done pretty well with a hi-vis boat as well!

The country was pretty hard and although as a group we only shot about 25 goats, we also saw chamois and deer (although unfortunately they were off the menu).  The original plan was to stay the night, but with a really bad front arriving late afternoon we all decided to high tail it back to civilisation.  Although unfortunately high tailing it didn't work so well with one of the jet boats breaking down before we even left the far side of the lake.  After attempting to get it started for half an hour and with rapidly deteriorating weather, eventually everyone gave up and decided that our boat was the best one to tow it back with.  All of the other boats left at that stage were better suited for flat water (ski boats and jet boats) so our "deep V" came in handy for the slow trudge back across the lake with a good 2 foot chop.  So yet again our old "dunger" turned out to be a gem!  We only wished it was the alloy jet boat and not the 2 tonne all steel one that had broken down....

Here's a shot of the remaining boats lined up on the beach just before the weather turned.  Hopefully at the next meeting on Thursday night we might be able to get copies of some of the other photos taken - but no promises!

Snow in November

Over the last couple of days we've experienced snow to lake level, cold temperatures and a brisk wind.  There have been a lot of people talking about it being unseasonal, but Greg and I can't remember a November in our last 4 that hasn't had at least one bout of winter in it.  Apparently it almost always coincides with the tour of Southland - like it did yesterday!  But regardless of whether it's unseasonal or not, it's still very pretty to wake up to everything dusted in icing sugar snow.

Taken from the front door, looking towards Cecil Peak (that's a bit of ice on the table and seats)

 The boat, still with some slushy ice/snow remaining

The gondola, with Ben Lomond in behind it - the other direction from the deck by the front door.

Looking back towards our driveway from the road, up at the Remarkables

Top of the drive, looking towards Halfway Bay, where you can see the snow is quite thick right down to lake level

For all we love seeing snow on the hills, we're hoping it warms up quite considerably by the time Ken and Barbara (Greg's Parents) arrive next Friday.  These temperatures might be a bit of a shock to the system for the Aucklanders!  :-)