On the Mend

Hello everybody out there in far off lands.....

We pick up the Nic's Saga as we leave Wanaka and say goodbye to Swenja and Bruce and their many dogs.....

Pancake Rocks.......along the way and up the west coast one of the remarkable sights.....

Cole Creek Beach.....just us sand and waves......oh yeah and a billion sand flys ;-) darn norwester....

We think these are Banana pasionfruit flowers.....but cool either way....

Nick.....always teaching.....showing ian the prairie boy how to build a sand castle!!!!

Nick on Why Not Pohara....

Zana from New YOOORK......

Ian cruising at Pohara....


The cool down after a long day climbing.....Nick on the classic DWS...Acid Test...

Hope you are all well and enjoy the pictures.....I am doing well and Nick is taking good care of me!!! Thanks for all the get well emails I really needed them, i'm working on it!

Cheers,

Nicola

Nicola's Leg

Blog update November 15th,
well hello to everyone around the globe, its been and exciting time travelling through the South Island mostly due to good climbing, scenery and my ever dramatic performance!

We left Queenstown area for the beauty of Wanaka and the scenery is stunning. Mountains, lakes but warmer and a lot like Penticton at home but with a much more outdoor oriented lifestyle (Though the rock isn't quite so solid!)

After climbing in the idyllic spots, NIck and Ian have bagged a respectable number of 26's and a 27.well Nick almost!! They are inching up the grades with the help of some great locals we are lucky enough to be staying with.

I managed to have a dramatic accident where loose rock and shin scraping came together in cosmic force and sliced my leg from above the ankle to below my knee...never one to be conventional with injuries this was no normal scrape but a gaping hole that has 31 neat stitches keeping it together. The healing is so fast, I marvel at the human body and thank the gods or something I didn't get into bone, tendon or ligament!

Life here is sweet, its the best way to describe it, beautiful mountains all around, amazing food and great company has reminded us that this is a holiday and provided some much needed downtime considering how serious climbing and camping can somehow become on this length of trip.

Many thanks once again to Bruce and Swenja who have put up with the trio of us so well, fed us too well and for keeping me together when the drama went down!
Until next time,
Nicola signs out

WARNING THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS ARE GRAPHIC!










Finally a week later.......


Some less intense pics....


Nick and Ian goofing around on the rail towards mount Aspiring.The glacier on the way to Mount Aspiring.

More South Island

Hello everyone, here is an update from the South Island...

We took a break from Castle Hill to enjoy some much needed parental type luxury in Christchurch with Kate's parent's Sheila and Marton. Much good cooking, eating and lounging followed until we thought we had better get back on the road or ruin our climbing bum physiques.

We travelled south to a steep limestone bouldering spot in the heart of farm country and busted powerful long moves whilst marveling over the massive climbing development potential of huge walls in local valleys.

Next and latest, we find ourselves outside of Queenstown camped on a hill admiring the lake and contemplating a bit of a Rockiesesq hike- to shist rock routes.

We have been enjoying a bit of all seasons so far but hope for sunshine and warmth (nothing new!) before we head to Wanaka.

Hope all is well at homes in all respective corners of the world,

Peace out, Nicola

Over looking ChurchBay......just another beautiful place near Christchurch.

Britten Crag high above Christchurch.

Nicola Crankin' at Hulk Hogan.

Nick shortley after eating a lemon.

Ian heel hooking to glory at Hulk Hogan.

Rest Day at Wye Creek.

The pride of Madeira (Wye Creek).

Dragon Snaps (Wye Creek).

View from our high camp at sunset in Wye Creek.