60x40 Print on Metal | $4000
last four of number: 0291
Gertrude Saddle is a fairly popular hike with a bit of light scrambling in Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand. What many people miss is the continued scramble, occasionally marked by cairns and definitely not "just a hike" to the summit of Barrier Peak. I would say the scramble is mostly class II, but the climate of this part of the world is what makes things get really interesting. After enjoying the stunning colors of sunset over Lake Adelaide and watching the alpen glow disappear on these jagged peaks, it was time to head back down. Wet snow coated the boulders I had scampered up on the climb making them more hazardous to a misstep on the descent. Reaching the official trail at the base of the scramble only brought temporary relief. As I dropped deeper into the valley, a thick fog rolled over the trail. Certain sections traverse steep smooth wet granite with only occasional markers to lead the way. Navigating through a dark fog is extra challenging as a headlamp often makes visibility even worse. After many wrong turns and close calls, I finally reached a trail that didn't require every ounce of concentration and felt the relief of fast walked miles back to my car.
