BRAVING THE COLD
To the north, on the true right, slabs of rock create a series of difficult valleys running westward along the Adams Range, all terminating in the maelstrom that is the Barlow River below the landing site. On the true left, the southern side, a much easier series of forested ridges run up to essentially a huge tussock terrace, kilometres long, which runs out toward another landing site – Perverse Creek. This is the sunny side, and while certainly bisected by some ravines and difficult terrain, is generally a bit easier to get around and certainly easier on the body. The head of the river terminates in three glaciers winding their way down wild, tilted slabs of rock which tower to well over 2,000m, Mt Kensington taking the cake at 2,444m, though several others come close.
As the chopper touched down and my wife Sam stepped outside the eyes of the two hunters leaving the block snapped open in surprise and alarm. Before even speaking to me they’d taken Sam aside and imparted to her that this block is ‘Cold, very cold, will you be okay?’
I couldn’t help but laugh. We’d packed the kitchen sink, a canvas tent, Bakewell burner, even a table! Luxury was in the offing, sun or no sun. I’d even felt so bad about the pile of gear at the carpark that I’d left a box of firewood and a bag of coal in the ute, just to try maintain some dignity as a serious hunter. I’m
