I have posted some more photos from NZ, this time (mostly) of the Routeburn Track, the 3-day 'epic' walk along two Alpine river valleys, the Hollyford and Routeburn river valleys, crossing from Fiordland into Mt Aspiring National Park, South Island. I first walked this track 35 years ago, and had always wanted to do it again, and last December, we did it! It was so amazing to do this with my two sons and partner. I had forgotten that S gets vertigo, so it was challenging for him. I had sore feet (and still do - need to see a podiatrist) whereas the two boys found it easy. more unwelcome confirmation of the ageing process, but it was worth it. The walk was exactly as I remembered it (as far as I could remember) - because it is in a World Heritage area, nothing has changed! Which is amazing when I think about everything that has happened to me in the past 35 years (and I have changed lots!)...
Tasman Glacier, near Mt Cook, South Island, NZ
The glacier is the disappointingly grey blob at the top of the lake. But the mountains are beautiful.
Lake McKenzie, Routeburn Track
The first night of the walk was spent at Lake McKenzie. The boys swam in this lake, which is full of snow melt...shiver. The lodge was warm, with hot showers.
Routeburn Track, Lake Mackenzie to Harris Saddle
Lots of the walk is through rainforest, and it rains a lot. The trees are dripping with moss and lichen.
Routeburn Track
Then, after trudging uphill for some time, you come up above the tree line (where the snow starts in winter), and its a totally different walk, with broad views on a grand scale, where you understand the concept of the sublime in landscape painting...and you feel your own insignificance in the immensity of the landscape. Then, you are in the mountains!
Routeburn Track
At one point, called 'Ocean Corner', you can see the West coast and the ocean. Then at Harris Saddle, you track across a pass and into the Routeburn valley, which you can see down below.
waterfall
Routeburn valley
the boys, just out of the water...
Back home, its raining heavily at the moment, and Brisbane is flooding again. More later.
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