Category Archives: Panorama

Diamond Lake – Rocky Mountain – Queenstown Lakes District

Leave a Reply

Monday 2/03/2026   Diamond Lake Car Park – Wānaka–Mt Aspiring Road – Diamond Lake Loop Track – Lower Circuit Track – Lake Wānaka Lookout Track – Rocky Mountain Track – Diamond Lake Bird View – Lake Wānaka Lookout – Diamond Lake – Schist bluffs – Rocky Mountain (775 m) – Kā Tiritiri o te Moana / Southern Alps – Mount Aspiring / Tititea (3,033 m) – Lake Wānaka – Mou Waho – Mou Tapu – Te Peka Karara – Ruby Island – Glendhu Bay – The Peninsula – Diamond Lake Car Park

                                        Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain Track

                                        Diamond Lake Conservation Area, Queenstown Lakes District, Otago, NEW ZEALAND (Aotearoa)

                                        Kāi Tahu ki Otago Country (Ngāi Tahu / Kāi Tahu)

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),  Pablo Ureña Vega

We decided to do a slightly easier walk today after a big climb on the previous days. It was a 20-minute drive from Wanaka to the trailhead, and there was plenty of parking.

The trail climbed up from the carpark, and we were soon passing Diamond Lake, of which we had excellent views a little further along the trail. Looking from above, the dark waters of the lake were very picturesque.

Continue reading →

Loading

Rob Roy Glacier Track – Mount Aspiring

Leave a Reply

Wednesday 4/03/2026   Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road – Matukituki River West Branch – Raspberry Creek Carpark – Rob Roy Stream – Rob Roy Glacier Track – Bridal Veil Falls – Rob Roy Glacier 

                                            Fiordland National Park / Te Wāhipounamu

                                            South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, Southland, NEW ZEALAND (Aotearoa)

                                            Tahu Country (Ngāi Tahu / Kāi Tahu people)

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),  Pablo Ureña Vega

It is about a one-hour drive from Wanaka to the Raspberry car park. There is about 30km of gravel, as well as a few shallow (at this time of year) fords. We arrived at about 10:00am at the already busy car park.

Continue reading →

Loading

Isthmus Peak – Queenstown Lakes District

Leave a Reply

Tuesday 3/03/2026   Isthmus Peak Track Carpark – Stewart Creek – Glen Dene Station – Dinner Creek – Dinner Flat – Ridge Junction – Glen Dene Ridge Track junction – Isthmus Peak (1,385 m)

                                       Isthmus Peak Track

                                       Matatiaho Conservation Area, Glen Dene Station (private land)

                                       Queenstown Lakes District, Otago, NEW ZEALAND (Aotearoa)

                                       Kāi Tahu (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) Country (Kāi Tahu people / Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu)

                              

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),  Pablo Ureña Vega

It was a 30-minute drive from Wanaka to the trailhead of Isthmus Peak. The recommendation was to arrive early as the carpark is not large. That was an understatement, but if people had parked appropriately, many more cars would fit there. We were lucky to get the last spot.

It was almost 9:30am by the time we set off in the cool, clear morning, which promised to turn into a stunning day. It certainly didn’t disappoint us!

Continue reading →

Loading

Ben Lomond Track – Queenstown

Leave a Reply

Friday 27/02/2026   Bob’s Peak / Skyline Gondola Top Complex (787m) – Skyline Access Road – Luge Track crossing – Ben Lomond Track – Douglas fir forest zone – Alpine tussock zone (treeline ~800m) – Ben Lomond Saddle (1,326m) – Moonlight Track junction – Ben Lomond Station (private land) – Ben Lomond / Te Taumata-o-Hākitekura Summit (1,748m) with rock cairn (built 1960s by Henry Barker) – Ben Lomond Saddle (1,326m) – Ben Lomond Track – Bob’s Peak / Skyline Gondola Top Complex (787m)

                                     Ben Lomond Track

                                     Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve

                                     Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago, South Island, NEW ZEALAND (Aotearoa)

                                     Te Waipounamu – Ngāi Tahu (Kāi Tahu) rohe (Ngāi Tahu / Kāi Tahu people, incorporating Kāti Māmoe and Waitaha)

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),  Pablo Ureña Vega

We arrived in Queentown late the previous night. With a two-hour time difference and the associated tiredness, we were off to a slow start.

We headed off to find some breakfast and then drove to buy some food for lunch. By the time we walked to the gondola station and reached the top, it was after midday.

Continue reading →

Loading

Bullocks Flat – Thredbo River – Perisher Valley

Leave a Reply

Monday 29/12/2025   Bullocks Flat – Thredbo River – Perisher Valley

                                         Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

                                         Ngarigo Country                         

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Beth Davies, Pablo Ureña Vega

Beth had suggested we try this newly opened walk. She and Pablo would run in one direction, and we would start at the other and swap keys along the way.

We started under clear skies, and although it was around 8:30am, it was already getting warm, and we were walking uphill!

Continue reading →

Loading

Antarctic Peninsula Expedition

Leave a Reply

9/12/2025 – 19/12/2025    Antarctic Peninsula Expedition

“It is in our nature to explore, to reach out into the unknown. The only true failure would be not to explore at all.” Ernest Shackelton

Participants:  Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Cal Stewart, Kerrie Stewart, with 93 staff, and 134 other passengers

Route of MS Seaventure

Antarctic Peninsula Voyage  (Garmin Messenger)

Total distance: 3292.32 km
Max elevation: 487 m
Total climbing: 11633 m
Total descent: -11773 m
Average speed: 16.89 km/h
Total time: 12:41:30
Download file: 20251209Seaventure.gpx                         Track Info

Continue reading →

Loading

Huemel Circuit – Santa Cruz Province – ARGENTINA

Leave a Reply

  2/12/2025 – 5/12/2025  Huemel Circuit

                                             Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Los Glaciares National Park)

                                             Area Lago Viedma

                                             Santa Cruz Province, ARGENTINA

Distance: 75.8km                                                Time: 34 hours 

Total Ascent: 2695m                                          Total Descent: 2803m

Participants:  Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Pedro Navarro (Guide), Patrizia Schäffnerl, Valentina Sobol (Porter)

The Huemul Circuit is not a casual stroll but a full immersion into the raw weather, vast ice and big skies of southern Patagonia.  From the moment our small team left El Chaltén and Monte Fitz Roy faded behind us, daily life was replaced by a rhythm of boggy lenga forest, wind‑buffeted passes, creek crossings and evenings spent drying gear beside lakes. 

Guided by Pedro, with our porter, Valentina, carrying a very heavy pack and an endless supply of good humour, we circled Cerro Huemul above Lago Viedma, twice crossed the Río Túnel by Tyrolean traverses, and crunched over glacial ice while storms and sun took turns sweeping the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.  This report aims to capture an experience that tested creaky knees and comfort zones, but rewarded us with a guanaco on a perfect backdrop, rare orchids, and the quiet satisfaction of finishing one of South America’s toughest and most beautiful treks.

Continue reading →

Loading

Bariloche – Refugio Emilio Frey – Laguna Toncek – Laguna Jakob Rucaco – Refugio San Martin – Tambo Báez

Leave a Reply

27/11/2025 – 29/11/2025  Bariloche – Refugio Emilio Frey – Laguna Toncek – Laguna Jakob Rucaco – Refugio San Martin – Tambo Báez

                                               Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi 

                                               (Nahuel Huapi National Park)

                                               Rio Negro Province

                                               Patagonia Lakes District

                                               ARGENTINA

Distance: 46.6km            Time:  21.5hours 

Total Ascent: 1692m       Total Descent: 1848m

Participants:  Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

A much-anticipated start after multiple delays.

Getting to the start of the walk was an adventure in itself. We were lined up to board our international flight from Sydney to Buenos Aires when the line came to a standstill. The staff were looking stony-faced as they were given the news. There was no announcement, but they came over to the line and started speaking to individuals. We soon learned that our plane had been “struck by lightning” and the flight was cancelled. Great start to our trip! We were offered overnight accommodation if we didn’t live in Sydney and a meal voucher. A few hours later, I received an email saying our flight had been rescheduled for the following day, 27 hours late. We were transferred by bus to the Holiday Inn Sydney Airport, where they were keen to give us free food. Dinner and breakfast were included as well as the shuttle back to the airport. We settled in for the afternoon. 

We did take off at the new time the following day, but I had to adjust our travel plans, accommodations and our flight into Bariloche for the following day. The new flight time, unfortunately, had us waiting for seven hours in Santiago for the connection. We arrived in Buenos Aires close to 10:00pm, and I had organised accommodation close to the airport. Our flight the following day was at 3:15pm, but we had to check out of our accommodation at 10:00am, so we just headed for the airport. We checked our bags in, and soon after, I received an email saying the flight was delayed another six hours! So we had an 11-hour wait at the airport!

We eventually arrived in Bariloche close to midnight and fell asleep as soon as we hit the pillow. 

Continue reading →

Loading

Manatee Glacier – Polychrome Ridge – Obelia – Wahoo Tower – Oluk

2 Replies

22/04/1989 – 28/04/1989    Manatee Glacier – Polychrome Ridge – Obelia Peak – Wahoo Tower – Oluk Peak

                                                 Pacific Ranges (Coast Mountains)

                                                 BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Distance: 70km   Total Ascent: 8000m   Total Descent: 8000m   

Participants: Stephen Campbell, Simon Coates, Peter Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies, Colin Evans, Rienhart Fabish, Simon Gabbot, Klaus Haring, Craig Hollinger, Mike Thompson (Report), Tim Webb, Christina Williams, Doug Williams

Aussie Contingent: Stephen Campbell, Peter Davies, Stephen Davies, Sue Davies

Climbers and Skiers: Colin Evans, Rienhart Fabish, Klaus Haring, Craig Hollinger, Christina Williams, Doug Williams

3-day tour of Lilloet and Dalgleish Mountains: Tim Webb, Simon Coates, Simon Gabot, Mike Thompson

Continue reading →

Loading

Evans Lookout Road – Valley View Lookout – Cliff Top Track – Hayward Gully – Griffith Taylor Wall – Barrow Lookout – Govetts Leap Brook – Govetts Leap – Govetts Leap Lookout

Leave a Reply

Thursday 16/10/2025   Evans Lookout Road – Valley View Lookout – Cliff Top Track – Hayward Gully – Griffith Taylor Wall – Barrow Lookout – Govetts Leap Brook – Govetts Leap – Govetts Leap Lookout

                                           Blue Mountains National Park, NSW

                                           Gundungurra Country (Gundungurra people)                                 

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

This walk links Evans Head Lookout with Govetts Leap. We started after lunch on a warm afternoon with, thankfully, a gentle breeze to cool us down. 

Continue reading →

Loading

Grand Clifftop Walk – Blue Mountains National Park

Leave a Reply

Monday 13/10/2025   Katoomba Falls Tourist Park – Prince Henry Cliff Walk – Scenic World – Kedumba River – Katoomba Cascades

Tuesday 14/10/2025   Katoomba Falls Tourist Park – Katoomba Falls – Kedumba River – Prince Henry Cliff Track – Allambie Lookout – Lady Darley’s Lookout – Kedumba View – Echo Point Lookout – Spooners Lookout – Lady Carrington Lookout – Tallawalla Lookout – Honeymoon Lookout – Kiah lookout – Bridal Veil lookout – Leura Cascades Fern Bower Circuit – Leura Cascades Picnic Area – Tarpeian Rock – Olympian Rock – Elysian Rock Lookout – Gordon Falls Reserve – Pool of Siloam – Pool of Siloam Track – Golg Links Lookout – Grand Clifftop Walk – Willoughby Road – Sublime Point Road – Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – Lillians Bridge Track – Valley of the Waters Track – Empress Falls – Conservation Hut – Shortcut Track – Overcliff Walk – Undercliff Track – Princes Rock Lookout – Wentworth Falls – Fletchers Lookout – Jamieson Creek – Darwins Walk – Wilson Park – Great Western Highway – Station Street – Wentworth Falls Train Station

                                            Blue Mountains National Park, NSW

                                            Gundungurra Country (Gundungurra people)                              

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

I’ve wanted to complete this walk for a while. It opened in March 2024 and is recommended as a two-day walk. With a total distance of 19km, we decided to try it as a day walk. Just to wet our appetite, we wandered down from camp and had a look around the Scenic World section on the Monday evening. 

Continue reading →

Loading

Sligachan Hotel – Allt Dearg Mor – Allt Dearg Beag – Coire Riabhach – Sgùrr nan Gillean

Leave a Reply

Saturday 6/08/2005   Sligachan Hotel – Allt Dearg Mor – Allt Dearg Beag – Coire Riabhach – Sgùrr nan Gillean (954m)

                                         Isle of Skye, SCOTLAND

                

Participants: Peter Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report)

In August 2005, I set out with my brother Peter to tackle Sgùrr nan Gillean on the Isle of Skye—a peak whose reputation for drama and challenge absolutely lived up to the stories. We started from the Sligachan Hotel, boots becoming damp soon after we left the car park, as the heather and moorland soaked up morning drizzle. Even from a distance, Sgùrr nan Gillean towered above us, its pinnacled ridge looking impossibly sharp and untamed.

Continue reading →

Loading