Dad on the Way Down

Eric Going Down Mt Doom

CookieThere was definitely a right way up and a right way down this mountain. Up was was definitely picking a way up through the broken, but slightly more solid ridge line (not in this photo). Down was definitely STRAIGHT DOWN the loose scree slope here, we’ll be at the bottom very shortly.

Straight Scree Run Down

Eric Steps Down

CookieMy dad might be 60, that’s right 60. But he knows the best way down scree is to keep the momentum going. Not sure what all the young-ens thought about the old silver fox flying past them on the descent though ;)

Mum and Dad Heading Back Down

Mum and Dad Heading Back Down

CookieComing down Ruapehu was much easier than Mt. Doom, the scree was of much finer granulation which makes for very predictable and fast downwards progress. 

Boulder Field climb up Little Rintoul

Boulder Field climb up Little Rintoul

NickyMt Rintoul ( and Little Rintoul on the approach ) is a mass of loose rock, sharp scree, very very steep exposed slopes, and boulder fields. When you climbed the boulders, they wobbled. Their rough volcanic surfaces grating your legs as you tumbled around them, sticks clattering. When you climbed the ridges, there were steep steep drop-offs for hundreds of meters, and brittle ledges of slate you hoped would take your weight as you shimmied round clinging on, butt swaying in the wind, fingernails clamped in and curling under your grip. When you sidled the slopes of loose scree the depth was thin, not enough to kick a step, or wedge a boot, just to press your foot flat and pray the marble-like balls of rock wouldn’t slide out from under you before you had the chance to place the next step. The perspiration was of a different sort today – pure fear! My heart beats faster even writing this… :)

Steep descent to the saddle between the Rintoul’s

Steep descent to the saddle between the Rintoul's

Steep Scree, but easy descent to Rintoul Hut

Steep Scree, but easy descent to Rintoul Hut

NickyPHEW! I thought to myself as we swung into Rintoul hut. I’m sooooo happy that’s over! Buzzing with exhilaration, adrenaline, and grinning with relief we plopped ourselves down on the grass outside the hut, groaning. “Heya!”, it was Andrew. In ahead of us by a full two hours. “How was that?”, “Yeh brilliant! You?”, “Yeh pretty good! Challenging eh.”, “Yeh, that was ‘hard’ :)”.

Happy it was done, happy with myself for surviving, and happy with the sense of post-epic calmness washing over me, it was time for noodles, and bed.

Monster Scree Slope

Monster Scree Slope

NickyOut of the forest hut, over Mount Ellis, and down the over side. Bosh. Done. Dusted.
Helluva windy up here! Still exhausted from the day before’s excitement. Feeling rough, and pretty weak. But the sidling scree off the tops was surprisingly easy. Maybe everything will seem easy now?

Nicky negotiating a massive slip

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Nicky on a Scree Slope above Lake Constance

Nicky on a Scree Slope above Lake Constance

Cookie Climbing Steep Scree, Lake Constance Behind

Cookie Climbing up Steep Scree