Watershed weather

DAY 12, summer

Flying up to the chalet on Albert Burn Saddle in strong winds we had just settled in when the rain set in but not wanting to waste a minute we dragged our wheelbarrow up the steep snowgrass to the site for a rock sculpture on a high rock bluff.

Our idea was to use the barrow to collect flat rocks from the scree slope below a huge cliff, thus saving the backbreaking work of carrying them. Unfortunately the terrain proved too steep and dangerous to traverse with the barrow and lugging the rock was the only way.

The peaks were shrouded in cloud all day. After several hours in high winds and rain we had gathered enough to make a start on the sculpture. It was crucial to get a stable base otherwise the progressively heavy structure could topple down the bluff.

DAY 13

A very stormy night brought clearer weather with temporary patches of sunlight bursting through cloud giving glimpses of the glaciers and peaks of Rob Roy and Mt Avalanche. We made two sculptures for the Watershed project before the weather deteriorated again.

DAY 14

The weather proved better and we were able to put in a full day on the rock sculpture which is now beginning to be visible from the Chalet. Rain and mist have now closed in but if the forecast is correct we may have clear views of Mt Aspiring tomorrow.  

Philippa barrowing

Building a rock sculpture