Mt. Aspiring - New Zealand
At home in Girdwood, Alaska—as the Chugach Mountains become white with snow in the alpine and fall colors are in the valley—I reminisce about a trip I did several years ago, in late September. A dream ski come true. Skiing from the summit of Mt. Aspiring in New Zealand.
I hope these photos give you some inspiration and stoke for more adventures.
Mt. Aspiring, New Zealand. Photo by Nick D'Alessio
Outside the hut the night before the climb and ski. Photo by Ben Johns
The best stars I've ever seen have been in New Zealand. Some Aurora Australis this night too! Photo by Ben Johns
Skinning, spread out on the lower slopes. Photo by Nick D'Alessio
The lower climb. Photo by Ben Johns
Lower-mid climb. Photo by Nick D'Alessio
Mid climb top out. Photo by Nick D'Alessio
The summit! Photo by Pete Oswald
Ski pitch stop mid way down. Photo by Ben Johns
On the way out, back to the road... Photo by Nick D'Alessio
...we didn't make it. So we had a cold open bivy for the night. Photo by Ben Johns
The next day, into the green and down to the river valley. Photo by Pete Oswald
Photo by Pete Oswald
Across the river and down the beautiful valley to the road. What a trip! Photo by Nick D'Alessio