Fiordland Skyline
Milford Sound's skyline ridge: I couldn't let the jaw-dropping views lull me into thinking this was any kind of "walk-in-the-park" - with sheer drops on either side and tangled scrub and boulders to push through it was anything but. Although, it may just be the most stunning place I've ever woken up to.
The Fleeting One
When kea stomp on the roof just before the alarm, when the sunrise catches like fire from one cloud to the next slowly growing in intensity, when the wind holds its breath for 30 seconds and then “SNAP” the light goes out behind grey clouds like the flipping of a switch. That’s when you know this moment was meant to be, in all its fleeting grandeur.
Thank you, Murchison Mountains for letting me spend four days in your special hidden valleys and on your wind-swept tops.Autumn Magic
Te Anau in late autumn is a mix of storm and color, grey monotony of low cloud, and the occasional exquisite bright day that feels like summer. Here’s a shot from a particularly magic morning of fresh snow and vibrant light as seen from the yacht club. What a beautiful town perched on the water’s edge!
Change of Perspective
When running back and forth over a muddy trail I know well it’s important to remind myself to look up and appreciate my surroundings. Just look at this magic place! Life out here certainly isn’t always easy but stepping back and looking through the camera lens helps me put it all into perspective.
Icy Beauty in the Lord Valley
This morning after struggling to put on wet gear and after crossing knee-deep icy blue water I climbed in the deep shade of huge mountains so complete that my hands still shook with cold and my toes felt numb in my boots as I took in the scene around me. I felt simultaneously uncomfortable and elated by the beauty around me. Looking back I wouldn’t change anything about this moment as treading the edge of my comfort zone forced me to be present in an undeniable way.