Lake Alta
This moody moment was captured at lake Alta, a small alpine glacial lake located on the Remarkables ski field. Taken in early summer of 2022, this spontaneous adventure after work on a colder day revealed a light dusting of snow on the higher peaks. Typically offering a view of Double Cone Peak, this particular day was cloaked in a dense layer of cloud, drawing attention to the lake's serene beauty.
Situated in the Kawarau/Remarkables Mountain Range above Lake Whākatipu and Queenstown, Lake Alta is a popular alpine glacial lake. Accessible via a scenic drive up the ski field road, the hike to the lake takes just 1 hour and 30 minutes round trip, making it easily accessible for most adventurers. For those seeking a more extended exploration, climbing an additional 150 meters over the ridge into the Wye Creek Basin reveals many tarns, or you can also descend to Highway 6 along the Wye Creek Route.
During the winter months, lake Alta freezes over and is skied across by advanced skiers and snowboards as they come down from the chutes or from Double Cone peak. At a depth of 36 metres and its extreme climate being 1800m above sea level, the lake is ideal for Antarctic diving preparation. Notably, the lake and its surroundings served as the filming location for the slopes of Dimrill Dale in the iconic Lord of the Rings films.
Despite its extreme climate and altitude, the lake is too cold and low in nutrients to support fish or flowering plants. However, some small insects and plankton have evolved survival strategies over millennia to cope with this harsh environment. Alpine grasshoppers are able to survive beneath the snow during winter, and when the warmer days arrive in summer, they are often seen flickering around the grasses.
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