JJC2008:
NZ 28Feb17 - Fly Cork, London, Singapore (13 hrs), Christchurch NZ. Flying in over the Southern Alps on our way to Christchurch. Total Travel time 29hr 40mins.
JJC2008:
NZ Wed 3Mar17:- Landed at Christchurch in New Zealand driving from Christchurch to Mt Cooke (320km, 3.75), tea stop at Rangita on 1. All feeling a bit tired...
JJC2008:
NZ Wed 01Mar17 - Lake Tekapo at 710m on route to Mt Cooke Village. 1st view of the Mt Cooke range. Lovely now, some cloud and drizzle back along. Staying at Mt Cooke Lodge.
JJC2008:
NZ 01Mar17 D4 - Mt Cooke Village, Checked in at the DOC office (info). BHC group heading up on the Sealy Tarns Walk (1850 step {big} plus, 3.5 hrs return). Lovely bright day.
JJC2008:
NZ 01Mar17 D4 - BHC at Seal Tarns at 1300m, Mt Cooke in background. 1810 steps plus to Sealy Tarns. Steep (540 ascent) . 5.8 km round trip to Mueller Hut. (feeling wrecked!!)
JJC2008:
NZ 01Mar17 D4 - At Mueller Hut, five continued up to the Mueller Hut at 1800m, snow patches and great views of the Tasman glacier and Mt Cook at 3,724m. It lost 30m in a landslide in 1991.
JJC2008:
NZ 01Mar17 D4 - From above Mueller Hut at about 1830m , Mt Cooke at 3,724m etc, looking over the ridge back down to our approach route.
JJC2008:
NZ 01Mar17 D4 - Mueller Hut at about 1800m. Some stay overnight after this walk, we did it as day walk. 8hrs total. A really superb day in spite of the tiredness.
JJC2008:
NZ 01Mar17 D4 – On descnt with Hudleston Glacier behind. Hotel 09:15, Sealy Tarn 12:15, Mueller Hut 13:15, Sealy Tarn 13:30, Hotel 17:15. Total time 8 hrs. Ascent 1080m.
JJC2008:
NZ Thur 02Mar17 D5 - Driving from Mt Cook Village south to Queenstown (260m, 3h). Net covered fruits along the ways. We got petrol and provisions at Twizel on route.
JJC2008:
NZ 02Mar17 D5 - Picnic lunch at the Sherwood Hotel in Queenstown, leave our luggage here.
JJC2008:
NZ 02Mar17 D5 - On lakeside walk in Queenstown. Walking 3km from our hotel into Queenstown. Walk around the town and dinner in the local Irish Pub.
JJC2008:
NZ 03Mar17 D6 - On road to Glenorchy and Start of the Routeburn Track (Routeburn shelter which is 30 min, 25 km drive along a dirt road from Glenorchy, 68km from Queenstown)
JJC2008:
NZ 03Mar17 D6 - Cotter bro's at start (at ~ 500m) of the Routeburn Track, 32 Km, 20 miles over 2 days, staying in the McKenzie Hut.
JJC2008:
NZ 03Mar17 D6 - Day 1 of the Routeburn Track. BHC group on one of many fixed and suspension bridges along the way.
JJC2008:
NZ 04Mar17 D6 - BHC on one of many fixed and suspension bridges. reasonably dry ground and vegetation on the East side of Harris Saddle (real Divide?)
JJC2008:
NZ 03Mar17 D6 - BHC group having lunch at Routeburn Falls Hut (~1000m, 8.3km) on route. Three of group heading back from here, staying in Queenstown
JJC2008:
NZ 03Mar17 D6 - Looking down on Routeburn Falls Hut and valley below, climbing up towards Lake Harris and above. Some walkers heading in towards the lake (off our route)
JJC2008:
NZ 03Mar17 D6 - At Harris Saddle, high point, 1300m. Much more rain on the west side of this. Looking back along or approach route. Path is around to the right of photo.
JJC2008:
NZ 03Mar17 D6 - View from Conical Hill at 1515m, the incoming path seen below along the cliff at Lake Harris. Two of group climbed this. Cloud starting to come down.
JJC2008:
NZ 03Mar17 D6 - D1 Much more damp, more moss etc. on the west side of the Harris Saddle. This was a 2 stage walk done in one day. Cook up a welcome meal below, plenty gas rings.
JJC2008:
NZ 05Mar17 D7 – Day 2 of the Routeburn Track. Brew up tea for breakfast, muesli and bread. Leaving McKenzie Hut 1036m. Cloud still down and dampish.
JJC2008:
NZ 04Mar17 D7 – Some nice views many waterfalls along the way. Damp and lots more vegetation. Doing just one stage today.
JJC2008:
NZ Sun 05Mar17 D7 – Waterfall en route, both days meeting single runners/walkers, with small packs, probably doing the full Track in a day.
JJC2008:
NZ Sun 05Mar17 D7 - Again the very green vegetation, very different to the other side of Harris Saddle. Rivers in good spate..
JJC2008:
NZ Sun 05Mar17 D7 - Kea Summit, climb 400m, Cloud down, no views, 55 mins in all. There is a nature trail here but no info brochures in rack. Should see Lake Marian and Darren Mtns.
JJC2008:
NZ 05Mar17 D7 - Descending from Kea Summit, a small glimpse of what might be seen. Snow cover peaks, glaciers etc.
JJC2008:
NZ 05Mar17 D7 - Getting near to The Divide at 477m and the West, damper, more moss etc. 2nd Day Total:- 12km, ~300m, plus Keas Point, another 400m ascent. Time taken 4hrs 30.
JJC2008:
NZ Sun 05Mar17 D7 - The Divide at 477m , shelter here. Total distance 2 days:- 32 km, total climb c.800 m… from 477 to 1255 m)
JJC2008:
NZ Sun 05Mar17 D7 - Collected at the Divide by some of the BHC group driving the 3 cars and drove back to Te Anou (197km). Mtn Ash in berries at Te Anau.
