Today at 5:45 pm NZST the sun is at the most northern point in the ecliptic—it’s solstice. In astronomical terms this event marks the beginning of winter (in the southern hemisphere). It’s also the time when we get the least daylight.
In Nelson we’ve already had a few mornings with subzero temperatures this year. Winter seems to have arrived a little earlier than usual. While snow doesn’t fall to sea level in Nelson, snow-capped hills and mountains are a common sight. In the twelve years that I have lived here, I’ve seen snow as low as 300 metres. I’ve been told that one winter in the 1950s it was actually snowing in Nelson City.
In the nearby mountains of Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Park snowfalls can occur at any time of the year. I remember tramping up the Cobb in knee-deep snow at Christmas time, or wading through waist-deep snow at Lake Angelus in February. In summer, snow doesn’t last long at those altitudes. In winter, on the other hand, snow and ice can make tramping difficult. Some areas can become impassable, while others are prone to avalanches. Since I prefer not to spend too much time in the snow, I’m quite happy to leave conditions like that to others and mountaineers.
Nevertheless, I do enjoy looking at and taking photos of snowy landscapes. Say “hello winter” as you take a look at the following photos:
Mt Ranolf (southeast face, 1660 m) on Peel Range
Peel Range (point 1483)
Bush along Cobb Ridge Route
Morning sun on Peel Range—Mt Peel (far right, 1654 m)
Tahunanui Beach, Nelson—Arthur Range
To view my other snowy photos please browse my snow photo album.
