Greymouth to Wanaka

Here are a few random pictures from the past week while driving the west coast south, then into the mainland to Wanaka.

The Making of a Knife

Last week, I went to Barrytown to forge my own knife and that was very interesting.
It all started with a big piece of steel you have to hit like a mad man

You cool it down and cut the extra length of steel you do not need

Then you place the wood that will make the handle

The master forger helps you to polish here and there and you get this before lunch

It is time to decide for the final shape of the knife and 3 steps of sand papering (with a machine)

Finally, wet sand paper 3 times to polish the brass and the steel

And after tanning the handle with darker taint, it is ready

Map update (3)

Road trip since last update:
Nelson to Greymouth

Mt Somers & Arthur Pass

Here are 2 great places for tramping (that was not a "walk" anymore).
After leaving Christchurch, I went to Mt Somers for a very long walk. I thought I could do the complete loop, but it was impossible. I ended at the other side of the mountain after 6h15min walk. I am glad there was a Dutch couple in this no man's land to pick me up and even bring me back to my van. The peak was only 1191m, but total climb was 1472m.

At the end, I got lucky and saw the Death Star.

After this nice walk, I slept, of course. The next day, I drove to Arthur Pass. On my way, I stopped at Castle Hill:

And at Lake Pearson for the night:

2 days ago, I was finally at Arthur Pass, and tramped the Avalanche Peak track:
4h10min only, peak at 1815m, ascend 1222m.

If you want to see keas, Arthur Pass is the right place:

I am currently in Greymouth. Yesterday, I parked beside a (drooling) dalmatian who looked at me very suspiciously:

Rest of pictures here