In an earlier post I mentioned that I believe the hike into Temple Basin is what keeps it special. I had an even more interesting hike out than the hike it. I left in the snow, which before long was rain, and there was quite a bit of ice on the track down. It is even enjoyable in bad weather.

Once again, I’m giving zoom.it from Microsoft a whirl. You can zoom in or pan across the image using the controls in the bottom right corner.

This photo is one of my favourites from Temple Basin. There are so many elements in it. If you look at the horizon you can see the West coast of New Zealand and the Tasman Sea. You can also see a tent camp and a snow cave in the bowl below. You can also see the start of the bootpack we put in to hike to Mt Blimit to get these fresh tracks. And then in the foreground there is Scotty Heale putting in a turn just to illustrate what great snow we had up there!

You’re able to zoom into the picture below and pan across it if you want to look at the detail. Use the icons in the bottom right corner of the image.This is the first time I’m using “zoom.it” and I have to say that I quite like it! Expect to see me use it more often in my panoramas!

I made a little trip down to Canterbury to get some boarding in and decided to make my first visit to Temple Basin. This has been my first NZ club field experience and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I am sure that a lot of people are kept away by the 1 hour hike to the lodge, but I think this only adds to the experience.

Upon first arriving I was a little disappointed by a place once described by Transworld snowboarding as follows:  ”If I had to stay in one area, on one mountain, in one place, to snowboard for the rest of my life, it would be Temple Basin. It’s that good”. (P156 Transworld Snowboarding magazine; March 1996). The terrain looks a lot smaller from the lodge and you only appreciate it’s size once you start to do some hiking.

I did a bit of riding with an excellent rider who features in some of my shots. To see more of him, take a look at Scott Heale’s blog here.

I hope to add more shots to this gallery soon.

Srinagar, Kashmir, India

Another HDR Panorama taken from Pakakariki hill road. I love the swell in this image which feel a little like veins.

EXIF: Manual | f/4 | 1/40 sec | Property of John Carolin | HDR | Canon | Aperture 3.0.3 | 10 mm

This is an HDR image of Johannesburg and more specifically, Hillbrow, Bertrams and Berea taken on evening in April 2010. This image was taken from a hillside in Kensignton near Jeppe. I wouldn’t suggest going here alone at night!

EXIF: Manual | f/32 | 25 sec | Property of John Carolin | tonemapped | Canon | Aperture 3.0.3 | 75 mm

London, Summer 2009