November 2009 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Tecophilaea King]

And the annual pic of Ranunculus parnassifolius, a few more blooms each year. I'm hoping for some more seed as well. The first is in flower still in its seed pot, from 2007. Just one came through then a lot more came up in 2008 which is why I didn't disturb the first one.

Lesley, seeing your Ranunculus picture reminded me when I walked the famous, most beautiful track in the world, the magnificent Milford track, 3 years ago with my brother in November.
Has anyone on this forum ever walked this spectacular scenic rich track? A once in a lifetime experience.
Anyway here are some pictures I snapped while walking along this track.
Lesley, with your alpine knowledge, you could perhaps mention a few of the plants in the pictures. Thanks.

[Tecophilaea King]

Just a few more of those spidery hybrid Hippeastrum crosses between H.cybister, H.aulicum, H.papilio, and H.vittatum, flowering today.

[Tecophilaea King]

BTW: this is where I went for a shower, after a long exhausted 8 hour walk, cool and refreshing  
I was standing back at least one kilometer when I snapped this picture.

[Gerdk]

Thank you for the advice Bill!

The Milford track must be dreamlike!

Gerd

[Lesley Cox]

Bill the Celmisia is perhaps C. verbascifolia and the Ourisia may be O. macrophylla but I'm NOT sure and David or Dave will know better than I. The Ranunculus is, of course, R. lyallii.

Gerd, the Milford Track is billed (sorry) as "The Most Beautiful Walk in the World" and I doubt if many would disagree. It's a stiff walk over, I think 3 days or maybe 4, staying in very good huts at night and you can either take a large back pack or have it taken for you (more expensive). Nowadays it's necessary to book maybe 2 or 3 years in advance if you want to do it at the most popular time, through late spring/summer. Fabulous plants and utterly magnificent scenery. You need to be fit but small children have done it and adults in their nineties.

[Gerdk]

Gerd, the Milford Track is billed (sorry) as "The Most Beautiful Walk in the World" and I doubt if many would disagree. It's a stiff walk over, I think 3 days or maybe 4, staying in very good huts at night and you can either take a large back pack or have it taken for you (more expensive). Nowadays it's necessary to book maybe 2 or 3 years in advance if you want to do it at the most popular time, through late spring/summer. Fabulous plants and utterly magnificent scenery. You need to be fit but small children have done it and adults in their nineties.

Thank you Lesley - I really would like to do this trip. Please remind me in 2032 when I am in my nineties - hoping I am somewhat fitter then as in my sixties. 

Gerd

[Lesley Cox]

I know the feeling Gerd. Looks as if I'll need to join you in 2032.

[Rogan]

Lesley, I'm amazed how similar your Ranunculus lyallii looks to our Ranunculus baurii - perhaps not the flowers so much as the leaves - both are amazing plants! R. baurii grows in moist, elevated sites in the Drakensberg.

[Lesley Cox]

You're right Rogan, the leaves are quite similar. In R. lyallii they are very thick and almost leathery and they hold a lot of water from which deer have been known to drink - before munching them to obliteration! Ours too, comes from moist, elevated positions over the Southern Alps and the wetter side of the main divide.

[fermi de Sousa]

It was Remembrance Day here yesterday, so I took these poppy pics this morning!





cheers
fermi

[Ragged Robin]

Fermi, what a great thing to do, your poppy photos are wonderful.

[cohan]

Bill the Celmisia is perhaps C. verbascifolia and the Ourisia may be O. macrophylla but I'm NOT sure and David or Dave will know better than I. The Ranunculus is, of course, R. lyallii.

Gerd, the Milford Track is billed (sorry) as "The Most Beautiful Walk in the World" and I doubt if many would disagree. It's a stiff walk over, I think 3 days or maybe 4, staying in very good huts at night and you can either take a large back pack or have it taken for you (more expensive). Nowadays it's necessary to book maybe 2 or 3 years in advance if you want to do it at the most popular time, through late spring/summer. Fabulous plants and utterly magnificent scenery. You need to be fit but small children have done it and adults in their nineties.

looks lovely! but 'booking' for a hike is shocking enough for me, 2-3 years in advance is mind-boggling.. is it private land or a park with restricted access? of course no point letting so many people in that all you see is hikers, rubbish, and trampled plants...
there is a hiking trail apparently in southern alberta in Dinosaur Provincial Park which must be paid for, but that's because of fossils; the plants can be seen elsewhere for free...

[Susan]

Accommodation is very limited on the Milford track.  It is administered by the Dept of Conservation and goes over some quite high alpine passes - overseas visitors often underestimate the rapid change of weather in New Zealand in alpine areas, with often disastrous results.  There have been a number of deaths this year.  It is within a National Park, and unlike places in Europe there are no chairlifts or cafes along the track.  The only way out if you injure yourself is by helicopter - weather permitting!

Check out the following site: www.milfordtrack.net/


Susan

[David Nicholson]

.........there are no chairlifts or cafes along the track. 

WOT! no cake!!???

[Susan]

Of course there is cake - but you have to carry it in yourself

When we did the Routeburn track, we had to carry our own food and take out our own rubbish.  This meant no cake, but had the whisky in a flask and (close your eyes if this is offensive) wine in a can.  It was an Australian red and I have to say, you had to be pretty desperate to drink it.  It was on a special and I have never seen it since, obviously not a great hit, even with trampers!

Susan