Training Log Archive: Lizzie

Balloon hut to Salisbury. Where we stopped to brew 2nd coffee. Caught up with the comeskys here (very small back country world), and waited out some rain and hail. Then on to explore sphinx creek and cave, which was cool,and nice respite from wind. then on and up Gordon's pyramid, fromwhich we decided to continue despite the ridiculous wind, as we could turn back if it got too bad. We managed ok though, stopping for pauses when we found small sheltered spots. Well worth it for the amazing geology, full of sinkholes lower down in the karst, and riddled with holes, caves and pits higher up. Unfortunately mt Arthur was topped in cloud and the winds were picking up toward gale force.so an easy decision to ditch the summit trip and head down the ridge to Arthur hut for a cuppa. An easy 45min down to flora hut for the night. Went for a walk in the evening and was stoked to see a whio for the first time :) the most bad ass duck around

C • Baloon hut 2

Back from harwards hole to brew the breakfast coffee.

Cobb reservoir to balloon hut via lake peel. Hot on the way up but wind chilled things down on the tops. Had just had dinner and spread ourselves out in the hut when Georgia, Pat and Cris arrived (in the rain). Small world in the back country eh. They had slightly more extreme trip.plams than us though.

Abel tasman inland track from marahau to Canaan downs. Mint day out, but a lot of climb and not much downhill to compensate! Track was in good nick for the first part but very rooty and rough the second half. Met m&d atthe top and enjoyed the look out with them before continuing on.

Enroute to motueka. Stopped to run cable bay to drumduan. Brutal first km up to the lookout, and some steep punches to keep the legs honest thereafter. Had to do some negotiating with a protective mumma cow. She had a good pair of sharp pointy horns, and a few hundred kg on me, so we agreed she could have the track and I'd climb up an earthbank and around her and her calf.

From the farm up to the trig. Sweet views down over the wairau river valley, spy station and to the hills and mtns beyond :)

Day 3. Stern valley out to the lodge.

Old ghost road day 2. Pretty chill day in terms of distance and time. Started off with 8km and about 400m ascent from lyell saddle up to the tops. Bit of a harsh start for the butt after the unrelenting climb yday. Then some amazing single track and views along the top ridge. But all eyes on the track while.moving thanks to the precipitous drops off the side! Stopped for lunch and an explore at ghost lake hut, before 4km of hellish downhill. A fair bit of pushing and then a hike the bike down the staircase of doom to get off the tops. Solid workout! I took a spill on about the easiest section and managed to get a branch under my helmet. Missed my temple by a couple of cm but left a nice headache and bruise. So a tender face to go with my tender bum.
Ended the day with 8km or so of sweet flowing track down to stern valley hut though, after which all was forgiven. (We'l still give greg shit for his part in building the track though ;)