to get me from Te Anau up to Milford on foot.
Should have been easy right? WRONG. This was both a
pathfinding challenge and much more rugged terrain.
Most of the time the route was marked with poles and
while it did its best to avoid the wet valley floor,
it was slow going at times.
And just to add to the challenge my stove decided to
give up the ghost. Hello peanut butter.
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Routeburn Track
It just keeps getting better and better. New Zealanders
say the Routeburn is every bit as good as the Milford
and I can see why. The first day was foggy but the second
was clear with views of the snow-capped mountains on the
opposite side of the Hollyford Valley leading down to
Martins Bay and the Tasman Sea
Mt Conical was my lunch spot with its 360' views. After making
myself at home in the wrong hut I walked another hour to the
Routeburn Flats Hut. It seemed a fitting tribute to my father
that on his birthday I had a wonderful day in the mountains...
and didn't spend a red cent
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Rees-Dart Track
I know, I know. I've said it at least twice already
but...this was the best tramp yet!!! In addition
to the Rees & Dart Valleys there was the high pass that
connects them and a day trip to get up close and personal
with the Dart Glacier en route to the Cascade Saddle.
The trip runs out of Glenorchy close to many of the spots
where Lord of the Rings was filmed.
The first part of the tramp follows the Rees Valley through
a long flat section, past an abandoned hut until it ascends
to a higher valley ending in a bowl surrounded by mountains.
Then it climbs over the Rees Saddle and follows Snowy Creek
down to the Dart Valley. There are viewpoints above the
saddle on either side with some great views
After a steep descent to the Dart Hut, I took a side trip the
next day to another high pass called Cascade Saddle. It felt
so much lighter to just be carrying a daypack. I made it up
to the Saddle in good time. Approaching the saddle, there are
great views of the Dart Glacier, a frozen river of ice tumbling
into the valley.
One doesn't cross the saddle since it's a sheer drop of about
3000' into the Matukituki Valley. The trail ascends further
and crosses the ridge at another point.
As the trail leaves by way of the Dart Valley the trail alter-
nates between grassy fields and traverses over steep bluffs.
The reverie is interrupted downstream by the Jetboat rides that
some roaring up the river although I have to admit, it looked
like fun
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Wilkins-Young Circuit
Maybe it's an embarassment of riches or maybe it's just
from doing the same thing for a month. And then there's
the rain and the unavoidable conclusion that hiking in
the rain stinks.
The trip started in Makarora with a ride on the jet-boat.
Makarora isn't much of a place. The Dept of Conservation,
a motel/cabins/cafe place and a small airstrip all within
100 years of each other and nothing else for miles.
Welcome to the sad tale of my hike in the Wilkins and
Young Valleys over Gillespie Pass. The weather was
promising enough at the beginning. Wilkins Valley is
quite beautiful. Of course after Mavora Valley, the Green-
stone Valley, the Routeburn Valley, the Rees Valley and the
Dart Valley it's hard to get excited.
And why not get all your disasters out of the way at once.
Bad weather and a mild flu-bug. It wasn't serious but I
did feel a bit weak going over Gillespie Pass (I can hear
Dizzy Gillespie jokes now).
So now it's time for a few indoor days until this change of
seasons rain does its thing. Time to get to know the town
of Franz Joseph.