Its a Winter Wonderland... sorta

Probably because we just spent 5 weeks in the States, Scott and I just can't be bothered with winter. Snowboarding... all that time in the car, and money on lift tickets, something we both usually really enjoy.... eh. The snow has been pretty poor this year (well, until this week) and that combined with our recent sunny holiday is just leaving us really lukewarm on winter sports. 

We did manage to get out a few weekends ago for a hike, which took us up to some snowy hilltops. We went northwest, about an hour from Christchurch to the foothills, or specifically, Mt. Grey.

What would I do without Google Maps?

We hiked up through native Beech forest, then crested the tree line and hiked straight up the side of the foothills in tussock grass, to the viewpoint at the top. Along the way we saw a handful of someone's tracks in the snow... possum?

Bird tracks

Who is this?
The print to the right is the heel-part of my boot, so this is obviously not a human print!

View from the top on a hazy Saturday

 The next weekend Scott and his buddy Zane went out to one of the nearby mountains and did a similar route, but on bikes. Scott said more than one hiker warned them about "ice chutes", and/or gave them completely crazy looks for being out on bikes in such conditions.

He's used to it.

Anyhow, that's all Ive got for ya at the moment. I'm on to my dreaded night shifts tonight, feeling bitter and un-creative. But we're around, working and playing, and off to Auckland next weekend for a quick getaway!

Kodak Moments: Snow in Christchurch!

I've never lived in a city where it snows. Granted, I've been to the snow a bazillion times, ridden bikes and sleds and snowboards on the snow. I've hiked in the snow, driven in the snow, cursed the snow, and sworn I'd never live in the snow. But I've never sat in my own living room and had the satisfaction of watching the snow fall lazily down while I'm tucked in my cozy house with a mug of hot chocolate.

And I probably never will, because a) the snow we experienced was a torrential wind ridden snow storm mixed with hail, b) if you do live in New Zealand, you do not have a cozy house, and c) I would never choose hot chocolate over wine.

Anyways, I intended to go on a hike in the snow this morning, but I got distracted by finishing my book. More on the book later. So it was an afternoon hike, and it appeared that 90% of the snow had melted. Regardless, I threw on my shoes, grabbed my camera, and drove to the top of the hill we live on.

Looking West towards the Southern Alps

Attempted close up of the Alps...

 Remember how I said that I "threw on some shoes". Yeah... I actually underestimated the snow on the walking track. I threw on my Toms, albeit the ones with the wool lining, but 100% non-waterproof nonetheless. Fantastic reasoning on my part.

My hike was more of an amble, and it was a short, tedious, freezing cold amble. Of course I deserved every moment of discomfort because I have a pair of waterproof boots sitting by the door at home. 

Not deep at all...

"...I did not sign up for this..."

"...who sheered me right before it SNOWED??"