Where in the World is Mr. Alford?
If the brilliant students of Brookside Elementary have been paying attention, they will know that Mr. Alford and his inspiring wife Jenny are currently located on the South Island in the beautiful country of New Zealand. However, they have moved a significant distance south out of the Abel Tasman National Park along the coast of the Tasman Sea. To solve this mystery location, you will have to sharpen your geography skills and get out the map; you may find this weeks challenge a little more difficult to decipher. To correctly identify the current Where in the World is Mr. Alford mystery, you must name the exact route in the National Park where Mr. Alford is located.
For a long time Mr. Alford has dreamed of having a good look at the mountain known as "Tititea" to the native Maori people of New Zealand. With high "aspirations" for a view of the "Matterhorn of the South" Mr. Alford and Jenny shouldered their heavy packs and began hiking up the deep valley of the West Matukituki River with the huge shimmering glaciers of Mount Maori towering to the distance in the east.
After eight kilometers of flat walking, Mr. Alford and Jenny turned to the east and began climbing steeply through the beech forest to exposed slopes of tussock high above the river valley below. Under the hot afternoon sun they carefully picked their way higher along the craggy outcrops of friable schist rock as the jagged mountains of the Southern Alps grew visible all around them. At the end of the day's journey they stood at 1524 meters looking west down into the Dart River with breathtaking views of the Southern Alps in every direction.
Can you guess Where in the World is Mr. Alford? Submit your answers to Mr. Rodgers in the Brookside library and he will soon be drawing a lucky name for a great prize. Good luck Bluejays and remember to get at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise each day. Each day that goes by, Mr. Alford is more and more thankful for his and Jenny's investment in health and fitness. They are able to have experiences in wild and rugged places only available because of the ability to get themselves there under human power.
Kloshe konaway
Kloshe nanitch
Mr. Alford
Jenny starting the long walk up the West Matukituki Valley with the huge glaciers of Mount Maori glowing in the morning sun.
A side trip up the Rob Roy Stream offered exceptional views of the Rob Roy Glacier.
Jenny with Mount Barff and the Matukituki Saddle in the distance.
Jenny, hiking high above the West Mutukituki River in the sub-alpine tussock grass of New Zealand.
A spectacular view of Tititea from the headwaters of Cascade Creek.
Mr. Alford with the Dart Glacier in the distance.
Jenny knows the importance of proper nutrition while exercising and makes sure Mr. Alford is well fed during all outdoor excursions.
