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I chose this view from above the Sefton Bivouac, as it shows the smallness of the bivvy in a big, expansive and exposed setting. It is amazing it has withstood the elements for so long, although along the way it has been damaged by snow and repaired.
With the remaining morning clagg rising from the blue layered mountains and the early light filtering through the valleys contrasting with the bright orange bivvy I was completely inspired to paint this view. Once I returned I immediately painted the base colours while fresh in my mind and it has been reminding me of the mountains over the past few months while working in the studio.
Sefton Bivouac is perched on a ledge, exposed to the changing elements with panoramic views of the Hooker Valley and Mount Cook Village below.
The route starts with a scenic walk up Stocking Stream and gradually gets steeper as it progresses. There are numerous cairns to guide you to the trail that accesses the spur. A steep climb up a narrow single-track takes you eventually up a rocky spur with opportunities to fall off the mountain. Twice I scrambled up here in two days, as the first day was clagged in and I could see no more than 5-10m.
Once you get to the plateau at 1650m Mt Sefton and Footstool tower behind the bright orange bivvy. Sefton Bivouac is over 100 years old and is the oldest building in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park with extraordinary glacier views. The most exciting feature is the speedily shrinking Te Waewae Glacier within touching distance if you walk a little further. Such a gift to be able to experience this treasure that may soon be a distant memory.
Despite having walked, biked, driven past & slept in the back of a yellow hilux when I was little, and many times camping since at Lake Tennyson over the years, I'd never gone for a stroll around the Lake. We'd planned to visit the area in a fine weather window that looked perfect to re-study the Princess Stream Tarns also in the area. Unfortunately the morning we were to leave, the local St James very helpful weatherman Mark Inglis (I do follow his posts very closely to keep an eye on conditions in the area) put some photos up showing quite a lot of snow coverage. I'd be hoping it would just rain...it did not, his wife Anne then sent photos of more extensive snow coverage from her heli drop...
This painting of Mt Owen has taken a bit of figuring out. It wasn't feeling quite right, and after much deliberation I decided that "glow" wasn't how I wanted it. That particular night so golden and warm, I think we even had an Aurora later on. So I ended up re-doing the sky and tarn, adding in more soft warm tones and now I'm layering up the warm sun highlights on the tussocks. It's now starting to glow.The inspiration for this painting came from a overnight trip to the summit after a run of beautiful, still bluebird days. Starting from Courthouse Flat...
This particular fisherman's hut immediately caught my eye, tucked remarkably close to a large schist rock, its tiny proportions and wonderfully simple construction make it an intriguing feature within the vast landscape on this sunbathed morning. There is something particularly appealing about the contrast between the small...
