Snowdrift and Barrier Ranges feat. Mt Lydia and Albert Peak, 21-28 December 2013

Like the previous three years, this year's Christmas break called for a long trip back to our beloved Aspiring country. Undeterred by a marginal forecast, we skirted along the edge of the Olivine Wilderness by traversing the Snowdrift Range from O'Leary Pass to Whitbourn Saddle climbing Mt Lydia along the way. From the Whitbourn we regained the tops above the Dart Valley by way of Key Dome and Blue Duck River, which we then traversed to Seal Col for a climb of Albert Peak. Day 1: Up the Dart to Cattle Flat. Day 2: Across the Dart via the Swing Bridge at Cattle Flat and up to O'Leary Pass, then to camp below Boys Col. Day 3: Climb of Mt Lydia and along the Snowball Glaciers to Whitbourn Saddle, then into the Whitbourn. Day 4: Pit day in the Whitbourn with pouring rain. Day 5: Down the Whitbourn and up onto Key Dome via a scrubby ledge leading through the bluffs, then into Bue Duck Creek. Day 6: Along the tops above the Dart to camp below Seal Col. Day 7: Climb of South Face of Albert Peak from Glacier Col. Day 8: Down the bush on the true left of the Margaret Burn and out to the road via the Dart Valley Track. Team: James Thornton and Nina Dickerhof