Training Log Archive: bl

To Routeburn shelter at the east end. Met Joe & Joan about 10' from the end! Started with drizzle at the hut, then dry, even some splashes of sun. This was a 31k hike done in 2 long days by some, 3 average, and we were a bit longer due to unforeseen things - but the extra day offered sunshine/good visibility for the most part which we would not have had otherwise. Indeed, hking 31k and seeing virtually none of the alpine scenery would have been tragic! Much of Fjordland sees appreciable rainfall so the weather on the scheduled dates (well in advance) is anyone's guess. Heading west toward Harris Saddle today with cloud & wind waiting called for something like "what you don't know doesn't hurt you" (or similar) in my mind. We met a number of hikers around age 70 or a bit older headed that way today.

It was a really nice hike with 3 nights in huts, rain forests, rugged mountains, a boulder-strewn stream with turquoise pools on the walkout & friends not seen for some 15 or so years to meet us at the very end.

C • Say Hi 3

To Routeburn Falls Hut with nice weather - this was the stretch where visiblity was hoped for - we were lucky.

To Lake MacKenzie Hut, still low cloud, pack probably seemed a bit heavier.

Start Routeburn to Lake Howden Hut, carrying maybe 30#, not sure of climb - low clouds, mizzle kind of day.

We drove by the mouth of the Young River valley - it all looked so beckoning, time to stop. Unscripted "runs" can be the best - even after covering only 0.4 mi or so, routine falls behind & imagination or adventure beckon ahead. Doesn't require much distance or time. Told Beth I'd be back in less than 40'. There was a car park & maybe 8 vehicles, for trampers presumably into the Young R valley - a hut 20k away or shorter destinations. All req'd crossing the river which was maybe knee deep. Time to return & get on to Queenstown.

Q'town takes getting used to...lots of people & vehicles. There are so many young people! We don't notice such at home as there is a more equitable mix of years but here, in summer vacation land, so many are under 40, even under 30. Most are from Europe (we've met only 2 American couples in the past 10 days or so). We've enjoyed talking to some. Last was a Swedish couple living in Stockholm - not orienteers but he did ask how we said the word orienteering in English.

The Haast Rver flowing to the gray sea this morning. Felt a bit sad leaving the west coast, rain forest & evening's distant surf audible from campgrounds.


When you think you've seen most things roadside, this comes along. A long line of vehicles waited for nearly 30' thinking it was road resurfacing or some such general improvement.

AM run -struck out from camping, hit the highway, then thought deserted Tasman beach for a bit then bush trail to "swimmer's beach" for a dip in lake & back. Nice to get warmed up & then cooled off in fresh water first thing.

Blithers
Arrived in Haast, last of Westland for us, heading south. NZ reminds us of many places: Pacific NW, California, Alaska, Scotland, Key West & Bahamas (Okarito Lagoon) to name some. The caravan camp we stopped at night before last had 4 simple O courses on a map of the park itself. Find the feature, copy the letter, discover the word. Fun to see the promo & talk a bit about it. Did not try. One remark was that users forgot to return the (simple) compasses so I suggested keeping the car keys in hock.

The SI west coast from Westport south to Haast was one stunning mountain scene after another with countless streams & rivers running to the Tasman Sea. Most are glacial-melt, milky turquoise colored water. The biggest cross huge beds of stones they've made over the ages. There were quite a few gold mining sites dating from 1860s when gold was first discovered. Accounts depicted the usual hardscrabble life driven by the hope of seldom-realized riches. Additionally, timber and coal played roles when gold became harder to find/mine for various reasons. One descriptive phrase recalled: "mushroom towns springing up in the tracks of the gold settlers." Gold in the Yukon, in CA, in veins in this west coast -- similar stories. We took a peek at Franz Joseph glacier. Had seen 25 years ago & were not particularly impressed then. It has melted a lot but still enjoyed being close by today. Over the Haast Pass to Queenstown we go tomorrow. That will be a circus but that's where the Routeburn Track departure point is. We'll meet Joe & Joan Harris after. Joe is an old NEOC member. He helped me with an Upton SF local meet c.1982. He and Joan emigrated to the SI maybe 8 years ago.

Creativity at work


Pancake rocks

Countless layers of "pancake thin" limestone - the geology is worth a read

Summer profusion

C • I've been enjoying your pos... 3