The governing feature of the South Island is the magnificent Southern Alps. They run for 450 kilometres stretching the entire length of the island . Their highest point is Aoraki/Mt Cook at 3,754 metres compared to Mt Kosciusko 2,228m, Mt St Helens 2,549m, Kilimanjaro 5,893, Mt Fuji 3,776m, Mount Blanc 4,810m and Mt Everest 8,848m. They are one of the most southern ranges in the world and as such they have a permanent snowline above 1600-2700 metres and over 3000 glaciers. Associated with the Alps are raging mountain rivers, wild fjords and expansive glacial lakes. For anyone who has seen Lord of the Rings, you would have seen some of the Alps without realising as the scenery featured significantly in the movie trilogy. My enthusiasm for snow was set free and wild amongst this scenery as the mid winter climate cloaked these glorious vistas in gentle white. It evoked memories of when I studied in the USA and worked in Norway. It cleansed me and fed my soul with nourishing magic.
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