More New Zealand, Aug. 23 - 30, 2006

[Tony Crocker]

It was an action packed week, as our hosts Ski Express Tours ( http://www.skiexpress.co.nz ) were eager to show us many other attractions in New Zealand in addition to the skiing. For those booking Ski Express packages, representatives are onsite in 8 Queenstown hotels each morning and evening of your stay to provide assistance in arranging activities, in many cases at a discount to published prices. For example Andrew's ledge bungy was discounted from $140NZ to $99NZ. Ski Express also provide daily 2-hour complimentary ski tours at Coronet Peak and the Remarkables, and on selected days at Cardrona, Treble Cone and Mt Hutt, with a minimum of two guests required. They also have reps in Wanaka and Methven. The U.S. contact for Ski Express is Holidaze Ski Tours ( http://www.holidaze.com )

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[Jonny D]

Those are awesome photos. I'd love to go bungee jumping and take those jet boat tours! Looks like a good time was had by all.

 

[Tony Crocker]

More pics. Scenics from the bluebird day of heliskiing, then gloomy pics from our only bad weather day at Milford Sound. I had to look up the awe-inspiring pics from the clear day at Milford in 1982 when I got home. These are unfortunately slides, so it would cost a modest $1.50 per pic to convert to digital. Since I have 270 slides from that trip I will have to go through them and make some judicious choices.

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[Admin]

Beautiful views.

These are unfortunately slides, so it would cost a modest $1.50 per pic to convert to digital. Since I have 270 slides from that trip I will have to go through them and make some judicious choices.

Or just buy a cheap slide scanner.

 

[Patrick]

Beautiful views.

These are unfortunately slides, so it would cost a modest $1.50 per pic to convert to digital. Since I have 270 slides from that trip I will have to go through them and make some judicious choices.

Or just buy a cheap slide scanner.

Yes, really beautiful views.

IMG, I might not have a digital camera, but I do own a slide scanner. :wink:

However I haven't taken slide pictures since a trip to Florida in 1979. :lol:

 

[Tony Crocker]

Slide scanners are not that cheap, at least the ones that are any good. These are the only slides I have, so I will have to see how many of them I want digitized. FYI the last 30 or so slides are from my last backcountry ski on San Gorgonio in 1983.

 

[Admin]

Slide scanners are not that cheap, at least the ones that are any good.

You can get a decent slide scanner attachment for many flatbed scanners for well sub-$100.

 

[Patrick]

Slide scanners are not that cheap, at least the ones that are any good.

You can get a decent slide scanner attachment for many flatbed scanners for well sub-$100.

Yep...also good for negatives.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I have an all-in-one printer that includes a flatbed scanner. I read that flatbed scanners need a focusing adjustment to handle slides (since slides don't sit flush on the glass), which few of them have. So if either of you can give me an example of a "slide scanner attachment" I may be interested.

 

[Admin]

So if either of you can give me an example of a "slide scanner attachment" I may be interested.

I don't have one for you without going shopping online. I had one for an old scanner that's since died and been replaced.

 

[Geoff]

Slide scanners are not that cheap, at least the ones that are any good.

You can get a decent slide scanner attachment for many flatbed scanners for well sub-$100.

Yep...also good for negatives.

Admin doesn't allow negativity here. 8)

Personally, my favorite shot is the Kea. Those alpine parrots are very entertaining.

 

[Patrick]

Admin doesn't allow negativity here. 8)

Yes, he does. :roll: I could be mean (sarcasm) here, but I won't. 8)

Personally, my favorite shot is the Kea. Those alpine parrots are very entertaining.

I also like that picture.

I don't have one for you without going shopping online. I had one for an old scanner that's since died and been replaced.

Mine still works fine, unfortunately it doesn't work with my latest computer. I can scan on my old, then transfer the pics to the new one. Ah yes, my printer also doesn't work with the new computer. #-o

Yes, I could get a new one, once I'm finish playing for all my ski and concert related stuff from this year. On that note, The Who concert last night was great, but a bit pricey. :roll:

 

[Tony Crocker]

I have found by browsing around that I can get the slides converted by mail order for 40-50 cents each. So if I think I want most of the pics digitized I will probably do that.

The Kea illustrates the virtues of digital. Keas are a dull dark green except for the colorful undersides of their wings. So I followed a couple around the Remarkables picnic area until I finally got one in mid flight, then erased about 10 pics that weren't any good.

 

[Tony Crocker]

New Zealand 2006 snowfall was above average June-August but very dry in September. There is minimal May data. I have June-September data for 3 areas since 1992 as a result of my recent trip. Projected season averages:
Coronet Peak 94 inches
Remarkables 134 inches
Mt. Hutt 191 inches
Conventional wisdom is that Treble Cone and Cardrona get more snow than the Queenstown areas but less than Mt. Hutt. Treble Cone and Cardrona above 5,000 feet had excellent natural coverage, noticeably better than the Remarkables, when I was there except for poor exposures. Coronet's cover and surface was excellent but management estimated than half the snowpack there was from snowmaking.