Aerial Recce of Abel Tasman Walk

I walked on board and let the aeroplane do the ascent and descent today.

The flight path from Queenstown to Auckland took us over the southern Alps, west of Aoraki-Mt Cook and north over Abel Tasman National Park.

A lovely day for seeing where I had been walking over the last ten days, for sightseeing and for a recce of the Abel Tasman National Park where we will be walking  in ten days.

Come, fly with me.

Like all tall things Ben Lomond is standing at the centre back.  

At the lower left One Mile Track leads up through the forest to the cleared Skyline gondola Station area. 

The trail to Ben Lomond Saddle continues through the forest, up, up, up and beyond.  

Below, Bobs Cove Bridle Walk and the Mt Crichton Walk begin at the distant lakeshore. The wing points the way.

 Cecil Peak and Half Way Bay station.

 To the Glaciers in Aoraki National park.

 and the south face of Aoraki - Mt Cook.

 Dick summited Aoraki - Mt Cook via the south face on 7 January 2000.
That day I flew over the summit in a helicopter which landed on the Fox Glacier.

 Abel Tasman national park, Tasman Bay, and  Nelson city in the distance. 

Far in the distance is Havelock and the sounds. I think of my childhood.

 The Abel Tasman Walk will take us around these coastal bays. It looks enticing from the air. 

It has been a real blessing to walk in lovely places in the Queenstown area this month. 

The Abel Tasman walk looks very inviting. 

I have heard so much about the beauty of this place.

I look forward to the walk and to the chance to meet people along the way.