Route was Christchurch-Franz Josef-Hokitikia-Christchurch.
The route ahead. Low cloud was a bit of a pain, preventing me from going above 5,500'. Even at this height outside air temp was -10 degrees. Flew through some light snow in some areas.
I eventually came to the end of the valley, and had to get through Whitcombe pass, shown below. I needed to gain more height to get through the pass safely, or risk being dragged into the mountain in the event of a downdraft. Air pressure was a very low 988, so my pathetic underpowered aircraft, a Tomahawk, was getting a measly rate of climb of 500' per minute at full power and best climb angle speed. This was getting worse as I got higher. By the time I'd made about 10 climbing circles and reached 7500', I was only getting about 200' per minute, and dont think I could have got much higher. Generally getting to 9500' is no problem.
After such a slightly hazardous trip through the alps, the sight of the west coast was a small relief.
Refueling at Franz Josef.
Awesome pics.
