Fresh Snow

For a few minutes this morning the heavy clouds lifted above the mountains.

Mount Torlesse, with a little sunlight on Back Peak and Otarama

Early Snow

It's unusual to get snow so early in the autumn, especially after a particularly hot, dry summer. But get it we did last night, and by morning it had turned to hard ice.

Abners Head in the early morning sunshine

Mount Torlesse late afternoon

My back path was too treacherous to walk on

More Snow!

Castle Hill Peak and The Gap

Second Snow of Autumn

Castle Hill Peak

Mount Torlesse

Back Peak and Otarama

Castle Hill Peak

Castle Hill Peak is the highest in the Torlesse Range. Here the summit is obscured by snowcloud. The mountain is named after a farm on the western side. This view is from the east. On the right-hand side is The Gap, which is the distinguishing feature of the range as seen from the Canterbury Plains.

Moods of Mount Torlesse

Three photos I took of Mount Torlesse this morning. A rosy sunrise, A bright frosty morning, and then a nor'wester storm.

6.50 am

7.32 am

9.55 am

Fresh Snow in Late Winter

Mount Torlesse

The long period of spring-like weather came to an abrupt stop last night. Snow fell down to the foothills. The mountains are whiter now than they have been for most of the winter.

Ben More with the Kowai River

 The willows in the distance already have a wisp of colour, which is unusual in winter.

Poplars with Ben More Beyond

Fresh Snow At Dawn

After a four day polar blast there is a heavy fall of snow on the mountains and hills.

Mount Torlesse

Mount Hutt

November Snow

Torlesse Range

  Although it is late spring the mountains still get falls of snow.

Wellingtonia trees (Sequoiadendron giganteum)

Stormy Sunrise

Rubicon Peak of Mount Torlesse 6.32 am

Back Peak and Otarama 6.34 am

Wintry Conditions

Back Peak and Otarama at 1.36 pm

More Fresh Snow

Torlesse Range from Springfield

 Yesterday's storm brought fresh snow to the mountains.

The Great Alpine Highway at the approach to Springfield.  On the left is Castle Hill Peak, the highest in the range at 1997 metres.  In the centre is The Gap, which is the distinguishing feature of the Torlesse Range when viewed from the Canterbury Plains.

Southern end of the Torlesse Range at 1.15pm

Fresh Snow

Mount Torlesse at 8.46am

There was a new fall of snow overnight.  The clouds made shifting patterns of light on the mountains.  The bird is a southern black backed gull, one of a group of five that circled overhead.  The brownish patch on the wing suggests that it is a juvenile.

Dwindling Snow

The southern end of the Torlesse Range at 7.26am

Warm conditions are melting the snow quickly.  Compare with yesterday.

Fresh Snow

Mount Torlesse at 7.39 this morning

Yesterday's storm left snow right down to the foothills.

Snow on the Foothills

Fresh snow down to the foothills, but the mountains are still hidden.  11.40am