Something over 3000km

I left not long ago from the Castle Hill area or so it seems. However, its been several weeks in reality. Since then I've made my way all the way to the South and back up to Dunedin. After I came roaring out of the mountains of Arthur's Pass I headed into the center of the South Island for the great lakes and Mt Cook. What I can tell you I remember most about the area is beautiful roads with miles of wild flowers on either side and the great peak of Mt Cook reflecting off the most vibrant turquoise lake water in the world, felt like I was in a Monet. The area was so powerful as well. Normally a bicycle is ridden perpendicular to the road surface; however, I seemed to have to ride it at 45 degrees because of the winds that screamed across the plains from the mountains.
Finally I made my way to Mt. Cook and found myself on a private ridge around the back side surrounded by four or five glaciers and listening to the mountain crumble as the glaciers gouged away.

Wanaka was next on the way where I stopped for some much needed R&R. I spent a few days walking around the lake and rock climbing before Queenstown and some more serious endeavors. At 134meters the Nevis Bungy is the highest in New Zealand. I'm not sure how I brought myself to so calmly jump off the edge, but that's were the calm ended and the thrilling screams started. Easily one of the most exciting moments of my life.







I set out to hike one of the most beautiful hikes in the world the next day. The Routeburn has grassy fields, tropical jungles that turn to alpine forests and then rocky peaks sprinkled with frigged emerald green lakes. Viewing at the top is unequaled because you can see everything, even the white crescent shapes of waves from the Tasman Sea miles away.











Milford is indescribable. Really one of those places that is so mysterious that you don't feel like you are awake. Kayaking is defiantly the best way to see and touch this place. The water falls are also quite refreshing if you can kayak up under them while they try to blow you away.

Stewart Island is a quiet muddy little island where you'd swear belongs in the Caribbean if it were a little warmer. Three days of hiking gave me my first cold of the trip. Doesn't sound so great but it was very nice.
Last Morning of riding, the Catlins.

Now I'm in Dunedin and planing to go the Northern Peninsula for some sun and warm water.

I'm Thankful for the friends and family I have and the love they give me.
Hasta
Kel

The South Island is sweet as

Hello all my friends and family! I've just arrived in the Canterbury Plains outside of Christchurch and It seems that I've just been having so much fun that I've neglected to write. So after my amazing Christmas in Blenheim I made my way out to Takaka for some climbing at Payne's Ford. On the way over the epic 15 Km Takaka hill I stopped in for the Cannon Downs New Years Festival for three days of music and fun. Takaka is a wonderful place to be in New Zealand and I somehow found myself staying for eleven or so days, not really sure how long it was. Later I made my way out to the west coast and some awesome coastline. Then Arthur's pass presented the hardest climb that I've encountered thus far. I labored for almost two hours to stand on the top of the pass triumphant! Castle hill was a nice place to play too..! Love you all
enjoy the photos.Top of the 15 Km hill. Ah that feels gooood!Just hanging out above Takaka Valley.River kayaking near Punakaiki on the west coast. I was the only one on the river that morning.

This is one of my greatest moments. I'm so happy to be on top of this pass that everyone said I was crazy to cycle up.This is the Magical Castle Hill as you can see.