Before
After
Monday, May 12, 2008
New Project
Since not much is happening, I thought I would post the progress of my next project each week on the blog. I am constructing a coffee table from some Fijian Kauri. I bought the wood rough sawn and spent most of tonight's class planing it down so that the sides were all smooth. It is pretty difficult to see the difference in the photos.
Before
After
Before
After
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Recent Projects
As some of you may know I was taking a woodworking course. The first half of the course we were given a project to complete that would allow us to use the different bits of machinery in the workshop. Once finished, we were allowed to complete a project of our choice. I decided (or was it Helen?) that I would build some shelves for the small gap between the kitchen cupboards and the south wall.
The shelves full of stuff
The shelves are about 2 metres high and 1 metre wide. There is a board running down the centre to split the shelves into two different sides and give it more strength since there is no back. The shelves are at random spacings to accommodate our range of books, plants, potteries and a vase.
While Helen was away on the ship she knitted me a new jumper.(Helen to add some details about the jumper, explain why it is an Arran jumper)
My new Arran (Aaron) jumper
The shelves full of stuff
The shelves are about 2 metres high and 1 metre wide. There is a board running down the centre to split the shelves into two different sides and give it more strength since there is no back. The shelves are at random spacings to accommodate our range of books, plants, potteries and a vase.
While Helen was away on the ship she knitted me a new jumper.(Helen to add some details about the jumper, explain why it is an Arran jumper)
My new Arran (Aaron) jumper
Friday, May 2, 2008
Macquarie Ridge II Voyage to the Southern Ocean
A week or so after getting back from sea I have had a chance to sit back and relax and get over my jet lag. I was on the 3 pm to 3 am shift, so it felt like jet lag having to get back to a normal routine. I have also had a chance to contemplate everything that I have learnt from this month long trip. This was my second trip out on the RV Tangaroa and the first on where I was in charge of the geology team!
It was an interesting voyage due to its multidisciplinary nature and I learnt a lot about oceanography and seamount biology. I have to admit that because of the multidisciplinary nature it was also quite a frustrating as the geology part seemed to get the short straw and the time we had for coring often coincided with the bad weather! Not totally unsurprising given the fact that we were on the Southern Ocean. We only managed to get 6 sediment cores during the whole trip. However, it was only supposed to be a reconnaissance trip for the geology coring, so in that respect it was a successful trip as I have a much better idea where I would focus the coring efforts next time.
Actually we were really lucky with the weather - we only lost 4 days of so over the 4 and a half week trip. The original trip was supposed to go a month earlier, but we got pushed back because of the NIWA International Polar Year trip to the Ross Sea in Antarctica. Unlike the last trip I did on the Tangaroa we didn't see any land once we left the Fiordland coast, SW of the south island of New Zealand. We should have seen Macquarie Island, but we went past it during the night. We knew we were close to the island because we had regular visits from the Gentoo Penguins that live on Macquarie Island. We also saw a couple of whales during the voyage and lots and lots of birds!
So hopefully I will get another opportunity to go back to the area in a few years time. The first look at the cores suggests that they are all very different and it is obviously a very bizarre and fascinating area. The seamount sleds also got quite a few interesting rocks, so hopefully I will find a student interested in petrology to look at them and piece together the hard rock story from this region.
10 m waves on the Southern Ocean
Barnacles from one of the deep sleds.
Albatross
Octopus from the deep.
The whole gang!
All kitted up in my Antarctic gear ready to go outside!
It was an interesting voyage due to its multidisciplinary nature and I learnt a lot about oceanography and seamount biology. I have to admit that because of the multidisciplinary nature it was also quite a frustrating as the geology part seemed to get the short straw and the time we had for coring often coincided with the bad weather! Not totally unsurprising given the fact that we were on the Southern Ocean. We only managed to get 6 sediment cores during the whole trip. However, it was only supposed to be a reconnaissance trip for the geology coring, so in that respect it was a successful trip as I have a much better idea where I would focus the coring efforts next time.
Actually we were really lucky with the weather - we only lost 4 days of so over the 4 and a half week trip. The original trip was supposed to go a month earlier, but we got pushed back because of the NIWA International Polar Year trip to the Ross Sea in Antarctica. Unlike the last trip I did on the Tangaroa we didn't see any land once we left the Fiordland coast, SW of the south island of New Zealand. We should have seen Macquarie Island, but we went past it during the night. We knew we were close to the island because we had regular visits from the Gentoo Penguins that live on Macquarie Island. We also saw a couple of whales during the voyage and lots and lots of birds!
So hopefully I will get another opportunity to go back to the area in a few years time. The first look at the cores suggests that they are all very different and it is obviously a very bizarre and fascinating area. The seamount sleds also got quite a few interesting rocks, so hopefully I will find a student interested in petrology to look at them and piece together the hard rock story from this region.
10 m waves on the Southern Ocean
One of the calm days!
Barnacles from one of the deep sleds.
Albatross
Octopus from the deep.
The geology boys, Pete and Dylan, deploying the gravity core.
Life at sea can make you a little crazy - Peppe and Andrea in the coring lab.
The whole gang!
All kitted up in my Antarctic gear ready to go outside!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Easter with Vicky Bostock
With Helen leaving t ogo out to sea the day after the Easter long weekend and Vicky Bostock (Helen's cousin) arriving in town, we had a relatively quiet weekend in Wellington, although Helen spent most of the weekend worrying about having everything ready for the voyage.
On Easter day we did get out of Wellington to nearby Kapiti Island. This a nature reserve just off the Kapiti coast and after years of sealers and farmer s living on it they have not eradicated all the goats and possums and other pests and it is just alive with lots of native birds. This is a protected nature researve that yo uahve to get a permit and get a boat out to the island.
I have to say I spent most of the time stumbling up the path to the top, as I was too busy looking up in the trees. We did see lots of birds including the north island robin and the tui, but we heard a lot more.... that you couldn't see in the native trees! Once you get to the top of the island, you finally get a view down the steep western side of the island and down to the south island of New Zealand.
We had a rather fancy picnic lunch at the top and then shared our Easter lollies with the other visitors at the top.
The boat out to Kapiti Island.
The amazing tree ferns.
The north island robin.
Aaron and Vicky at the top.
On Easter day we did get out of Wellington to nearby Kapiti Island. This a nature reserve just off the Kapiti coast and after years of sealers and farmer s living on it they have not eradicated all the goats and possums and other pests and it is just alive with lots of native birds. This is a protected nature researve that yo uahve to get a permit and get a boat out to the island.
I have to say I spent most of the time stumbling up the path to the top, as I was too busy looking up in the trees. We did see lots of birds including the north island robin and the tui, but we heard a lot more.... that you couldn't see in the native trees! Once you get to the top of the island, you finally get a view down the steep western side of the island and down to the south island of New Zealand.
We had a rather fancy picnic lunch at the top and then shared our Easter lollies with the other visitors at the top.
The boat out to Kapiti Island.
The amazing tree ferns.
The north island robin.
Aaron and Vicky at the top.
View down the western steep side of the island.
Great to see you Vicky and hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip to New Zealand.
Great to see you Vicky and hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip to New Zealand.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Karapoti Mtb Race 2008
After going to watch the start of the Karapoti Race last year we decided we should have a go in the original NZ mountain bike race. The race is 50 km, with three big hills in it, and we had done a bit of training for it. The hills are so steep that it is more of bike/hike than ride - so my tramping trip to Fiordland was part of my training! We had done a practise ride a few weeks earlier, so we knew what we were letting ourselves in for. It is almost all 4WD track, but much of it is rutted with a few river crossings and a couple of big muddy puddles/lakes. Fortunately the last few weeks have been pretty dry, so the track was in pretty good condition as with a little bit of rain it gets very muddy and slippy. The weather forecast for the race was for rain, but fortunately it held off until about 2:30 pm.
Aaron was in the largest category with over 350 men in the 30-39 yr age group. The start looked like carnarge as they all ran across the river carrying their bikes.
Aaron waiting at the start
The start - a run through the river (which is fairly deep if you pick the wrong line - one guy swam as he went neck deep!)
Helen's race report
I was in the last wave of starters - the 19+ yr women and the 50+ yr men. I was surprised how many of us there were. The problem with going in the last group, is that by the time you get to the first hill there is absolutely no way to ride up it as everyone is pushing their bike up the hill in front of you. I think I made it about 1/3 or the way up the hill but then was forced off my bike by the mass of people in front who had no way of getting out of my way. Fortunately I have a relatively light bike - so pushing it up the hill is not too bad, and I'm well practised at it as I often have to walk when I try to follow Aaron up/down things that are beyond my mountain bike skills.
Down the other side of the first hill is rather tricky - with a steep gravel track. Fortunately with the 1000 or so people who had gone before me there was quite a good line picked out, so I think I managed to ride more than I had in our practise ride. However, I had to get off half way down as there was a man lying at the side of the track with a couple of medics sorting him out - this didn't stop some guy flying past and almost taking us all out! The track undulates along for a while after this, with a few short uphill pinches. I had started to get cramps in my legs near the top of the 1st hill, as I think I went out a bit too hard and I didn't have any proper electrolyte stuff with me. So I didn't push it and tried to stretch out my legs along the ridge. I made it to the top of the "Rock Garden" and stopped and had some food and got some electrolyte stuff and a magnesium tablet from one of the other guys who was also taking on some food. I started to feel better and managed to ride quite a bit of this tricky "Rock Garden" descent.
The next hill is called the "Giants Staircase" - this is impossible to ride and is so steep, rutted and slippy that it is hard enough to get grip walking up it, especially while carrying/pushing your bike. About half way up my cramps came back with earnest and I had to stop and ask one of the other girls for some more electrolyte stuff. I pushed through the cramps and made it to the top. Cycling along the ridge was okay - I stayed in a low gear and just spun my legs and the cramps seemed to stay away. Descending "Big Ring Boulevard" was great fun and I almost forgot about the painful cramps in my legs. I was following this girl, who rode so smooth and I tried to copy her and take the same lines around the corners.
Start of the third and final hill I was feeling pretty good and I just got into a rhythm and spun up the first part in my granny gear! By this time of the race everyone was so spread out that it was possible to ride up the hills around the rest of the riders. About half way up, however, the hill gets a bit steeper and I had to get off and walk as everytime I pushed a little harder the cramps returned. About 5 minutes from the top of "Dopers" hill the rain finally arrived and came down pretty hard. Fortunately all the tricky stuff was done and now it was just a matter of negotiating my way down the fairly tame 4WD track and back down the gorge. I looked at my watch and I realised that I was getting fairly close to my estimated time of 4 hours and I was feeling pretty good after a fast, fun descent so I tried to pedal hard down the Karapoti Gorge. I soon had to stop as the cramps were so excruciating that I had to stretch out my legs before I could continue. This happened a couple of times down the gorge and I finally managed to complete the race in a frustrating 4 hour 11 minutes. The fastest female time was 2 hours 47 minutes, but I came in a respectable 14th out 37 in my 19+ yr women's category.
Aaron was in the largest category with over 350 men in the 30-39 yr age group. The start looked like carnarge as they all ran across the river carrying their bikes.
Aaron waiting at the start
The start - a run through the river (which is fairly deep if you pick the wrong line - one guy swam as he went neck deep!)
Helen's race report
I was in the last wave of starters - the 19+ yr women and the 50+ yr men. I was surprised how many of us there were. The problem with going in the last group, is that by the time you get to the first hill there is absolutely no way to ride up it as everyone is pushing their bike up the hill in front of you. I think I made it about 1/3 or the way up the hill but then was forced off my bike by the mass of people in front who had no way of getting out of my way. Fortunately I have a relatively light bike - so pushing it up the hill is not too bad, and I'm well practised at it as I often have to walk when I try to follow Aaron up/down things that are beyond my mountain bike skills.
Down the other side of the first hill is rather tricky - with a steep gravel track. Fortunately with the 1000 or so people who had gone before me there was quite a good line picked out, so I think I managed to ride more than I had in our practise ride. However, I had to get off half way down as there was a man lying at the side of the track with a couple of medics sorting him out - this didn't stop some guy flying past and almost taking us all out! The track undulates along for a while after this, with a few short uphill pinches. I had started to get cramps in my legs near the top of the 1st hill, as I think I went out a bit too hard and I didn't have any proper electrolyte stuff with me. So I didn't push it and tried to stretch out my legs along the ridge. I made it to the top of the "Rock Garden" and stopped and had some food and got some electrolyte stuff and a magnesium tablet from one of the other guys who was also taking on some food. I started to feel better and managed to ride quite a bit of this tricky "Rock Garden" descent.
The next hill is called the "Giants Staircase" - this is impossible to ride and is so steep, rutted and slippy that it is hard enough to get grip walking up it, especially while carrying/pushing your bike. About half way up my cramps came back with earnest and I had to stop and ask one of the other girls for some more electrolyte stuff. I pushed through the cramps and made it to the top. Cycling along the ridge was okay - I stayed in a low gear and just spun my legs and the cramps seemed to stay away. Descending "Big Ring Boulevard" was great fun and I almost forgot about the painful cramps in my legs. I was following this girl, who rode so smooth and I tried to copy her and take the same lines around the corners.
Start of the third and final hill I was feeling pretty good and I just got into a rhythm and spun up the first part in my granny gear! By this time of the race everyone was so spread out that it was possible to ride up the hills around the rest of the riders. About half way up, however, the hill gets a bit steeper and I had to get off and walk as everytime I pushed a little harder the cramps returned. About 5 minutes from the top of "Dopers" hill the rain finally arrived and came down pretty hard. Fortunately all the tricky stuff was done and now it was just a matter of negotiating my way down the fairly tame 4WD track and back down the gorge. I looked at my watch and I realised that I was getting fairly close to my estimated time of 4 hours and I was feeling pretty good after a fast, fun descent so I tried to pedal hard down the Karapoti Gorge. I soon had to stop as the cramps were so excruciating that I had to stretch out my legs before I could continue. This happened a couple of times down the gorge and I finally managed to complete the race in a frustrating 4 hour 11 minutes. The fastest female time was 2 hours 47 minutes, but I came in a respectable 14th out 37 in my 19+ yr women's category.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Sea Kayaking on Milford Sound
After four days of tramping we figured it was time to give our legs a rest. So we booked a sea kayaking adventure on Milford Sound. The weather was perfect, clear, sunny and very still. We arrived at Milford Sound and were kitted out with thermals, buoyancy aids, spraydecks etc.. and were given a bit of a briefing by our guide Tracy. We were all in double kayaks - lucky Louisa got to be with me again!
Louisa and Helen in the double kayak
We started out in Deep Water Basin amongst the lobster fishing huts and boats. The water was glassy and clear and the kayaks just glided along with little effort. We headed out in to the main sound to be greeted by a very large cruise liner that was pumping out lots of fumes... what a shame! Supposedly they have to pay a lot of money to come in to the sound and this ship was certainly making the most of it, it spent the whole day going back and forth in the sound. It did, however, give you a sense of scale, as the large cruise liner looked small compared to Mitre Peak.
Paddling towards Mitre Peak
We started by paddling over to Bowen Falls and then along the northern edge of the sound looking out for wildlife on the rocks and in the clear water. We saw a couple of young male fur seals hanging out on the rocks. As we crossed the sound towards Mitre Peak we were also lucky enough to see a Fiordland penguin - but it was too shy to let us get close and photograph it.
We stopped on one of the few beaches to have some lunch and then headed up to see where the Milford Track ends at Sandfly Point. There were certainly a few sandflies around - especially when we were stopped for lunch. The wind picked up after lunch and it was a little bit of a battle paddling back to Deep Water Bay. It was a really relaxing and beautiful way to see Milford Sound on a perfect day.
Milford Sound
On the way back from Milford Sound to Te Anau we stopped at lots of different spots along the scenic drive to look at waterfalls, chasms, spectacular views, as well as a stop for ice cream and a cup of tea! The guides knew lots about the area and provided us with lots of little anecdotes along the way.
Helen and Louisa
It was a great trip - but just too short. So many other things to do in spectacular Fiordland. I'm sure we'll be back again.
Louisa and Helen in the double kayak
We started out in Deep Water Basin amongst the lobster fishing huts and boats. The water was glassy and clear and the kayaks just glided along with little effort. We headed out in to the main sound to be greeted by a very large cruise liner that was pumping out lots of fumes... what a shame! Supposedly they have to pay a lot of money to come in to the sound and this ship was certainly making the most of it, it spent the whole day going back and forth in the sound. It did, however, give you a sense of scale, as the large cruise liner looked small compared to Mitre Peak.
Paddling towards Mitre Peak
We started by paddling over to Bowen Falls and then along the northern edge of the sound looking out for wildlife on the rocks and in the clear water. We saw a couple of young male fur seals hanging out on the rocks. As we crossed the sound towards Mitre Peak we were also lucky enough to see a Fiordland penguin - but it was too shy to let us get close and photograph it.
We stopped on one of the few beaches to have some lunch and then headed up to see where the Milford Track ends at Sandfly Point. There were certainly a few sandflies around - especially when we were stopped for lunch. The wind picked up after lunch and it was a little bit of a battle paddling back to Deep Water Bay. It was a really relaxing and beautiful way to see Milford Sound on a perfect day.
Milford Sound
On the way back from Milford Sound to Te Anau we stopped at lots of different spots along the scenic drive to look at waterfalls, chasms, spectacular views, as well as a stop for ice cream and a cup of tea! The guides knew lots about the area and provided us with lots of little anecdotes along the way.
Helen and Louisa
It was a great trip - but just too short. So many other things to do in spectacular Fiordland. I'm sure we'll be back again.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Fiordland Adventures - Kepler Track
Louisa, my old housemate from Canberra, came over to New Zealand to visit. We flew in to Dunedin, and then took a bus to Te Anau in Fiordland, southwest of the South Island. A couple of years ago Louisa, Alison and I had done the south coast track in Tasmania and Lou and I thought it was about time we had another multiday tramping adventure. This time we were walking the four day Kepler Great Walk in Fiordland. Unfortunately Aaron couldn't come as he has only just started his new job - so he hasn't earned any holidays yet. He prefers biking to tramping anyway!
Day 1
We set off from Te Anau, picked up our tickets for the huts from the Department of Conservation office, checked out the birds at the wildlife centre and then started on our tramp around the edge of the lake. The walk officially starts from the dam/control gates at the south of the lake, but we walked the 4 km from town. Most of the first day of the walk goes through beautiful beech forests along the lake edge and then heads up the hill in a series of steep switch backs to the tree line. Then it is a gentle climb up to the Mt Luxmore hut. The weather was looking pretty grey when we left Te Anau, but the clouds came and went and there was only a little bit of rain. However when we got to the tree line we walked the rest of the way in the clouds. We arrived at the hut, dumped our bags and went out to explore some caves near the hut. The weather also cleared and we got some wonderful views down to the southern arm of Lake Te Anau.
Louisa at the official start of the Kepler Track
The well maintained track through the beech forest
Stalactites/flowstones in the cave
View of Lake Te Anau from the Mt Luxmore hut
Day 2
After a rather noisy and cool night at Mt Luxmore hut we waited to see what the weather forecast was before setting off up the hill to Mt Luxmore. I guess there are advantages and disadvantages of staying in the huts. The main advantage is that you only have to carry your sleeping bag, clothes, food and pots and pans, but the disadvantage is that you have to share with people who stay up late, get up early and you definitely don't get as much sleep as you would like!
The cloud was pretty low and our view from the top of Mt Luxmore was a sea of white/grey! But most of the way along the track the clouds were just above us and we got some fleeting views of the Lake below and along the ridge. It was quite spectacular with the clouds adding to the atmosphere and contrasting with the green forests and blue lake below. It wasn't as windy as we expected, but quite cool, so we had our rain jackets on most of the way along the top to protect us from the wind. We had been warned that we might see keas (the mountain parrot), but obviously they were shy. Soon we were heading down back into the trees through a series of tight, steep switch backs down to the Iris Burn Valley.
Crazy clouds
Louisa walking along the ridge with the view down to Lake Te Anau
We got to the Iris Burn hut and again selected our beds and dumped our packs and headed out again to head up the valley to the Iris Burn waterfall. It it nice to walk without a pack and just loosen up the legs at the end of the day. We didn't stay long at the waterfall as there were quite a few sandflies around. These are the scourge of Fiordland, and well known for ruining a tramp. We were very lucky that because it had been cool and windy we really didn't have too many problems with sandflies on the whole tramp.
Iris Burn waterfall
That night, after our delicious meal of tuna and pasta, we spent a couple of hours playing cards with a bunch of Israeli guys and a dutch couple. We were surprised how many Israeli's we met, but supposedly it is very common to travel after you finish your military service and Australia and New Zealand are popular destinations. Once it got dark, around 9:30pm, Louisa and I went out "Spotlighting" to search for kiwis. Supposedly a male and female live in the clearing in front of the hut and the hut warden played us their calls, so we knew what to listen for. Unfortunately we didn't seen any kiwis, but we did see a deer (a feral pest in Fiordland) and a morepork (a native owl).
Day 3
After a slightly quieter night in the hut, we set off down the Iris Burn valley. Most of the track was through more beech forests, with lots of ferns, fungi, but not many birds or wildlife. The track had a couple of detours as a result of landslides. We followed the river down the valley until we reached Manapori Lake - claimed to be the most beautiful lake in New Zealand. We walked along the side of the lake and reached the hut. What an idyllic location for a hut, about 20 m from the lake. The weather had finally cleared up and it was relatively warm and sunny, although the wind had picked up and there were some significant waves on the lake. We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out on the beach and braving a brief swim in the cool waters of the lake - very refreshing, especially after 3 days of walking and no showers!
Fungi in the forest
Lake Manapori
Day 4
Last day of the tramp. We set off and soon left the edge of Lake Manapori and headed through some wetlands and down to the river that connects Lake Te Anau with Lake Manapori. We walked along the edge of the river until we were back at the control gates. There was a lot more foot traffic along this section, with lots of day walkers. From the control gates we strolled back to Te Anau along the lake front. Back at the hostel we had a quick shower and then headed down to the pub for a beer and some hot chips. The perfect way to end a long walk!
Day 1
We set off from Te Anau, picked up our tickets for the huts from the Department of Conservation office, checked out the birds at the wildlife centre and then started on our tramp around the edge of the lake. The walk officially starts from the dam/control gates at the south of the lake, but we walked the 4 km from town. Most of the first day of the walk goes through beautiful beech forests along the lake edge and then heads up the hill in a series of steep switch backs to the tree line. Then it is a gentle climb up to the Mt Luxmore hut. The weather was looking pretty grey when we left Te Anau, but the clouds came and went and there was only a little bit of rain. However when we got to the tree line we walked the rest of the way in the clouds. We arrived at the hut, dumped our bags and went out to explore some caves near the hut. The weather also cleared and we got some wonderful views down to the southern arm of Lake Te Anau.
Louisa at the official start of the Kepler Track
The well maintained track through the beech forest
Stalactites/flowstones in the cave
View of Lake Te Anau from the Mt Luxmore hut
Day 2
After a rather noisy and cool night at Mt Luxmore hut we waited to see what the weather forecast was before setting off up the hill to Mt Luxmore. I guess there are advantages and disadvantages of staying in the huts. The main advantage is that you only have to carry your sleeping bag, clothes, food and pots and pans, but the disadvantage is that you have to share with people who stay up late, get up early and you definitely don't get as much sleep as you would like!
The cloud was pretty low and our view from the top of Mt Luxmore was a sea of white/grey! But most of the way along the track the clouds were just above us and we got some fleeting views of the Lake below and along the ridge. It was quite spectacular with the clouds adding to the atmosphere and contrasting with the green forests and blue lake below. It wasn't as windy as we expected, but quite cool, so we had our rain jackets on most of the way along the top to protect us from the wind. We had been warned that we might see keas (the mountain parrot), but obviously they were shy. Soon we were heading down back into the trees through a series of tight, steep switch backs down to the Iris Burn Valley.
Crazy clouds
Louisa walking along the ridge with the view down to Lake Te Anau
We got to the Iris Burn hut and again selected our beds and dumped our packs and headed out again to head up the valley to the Iris Burn waterfall. It it nice to walk without a pack and just loosen up the legs at the end of the day. We didn't stay long at the waterfall as there were quite a few sandflies around. These are the scourge of Fiordland, and well known for ruining a tramp. We were very lucky that because it had been cool and windy we really didn't have too many problems with sandflies on the whole tramp.
Iris Burn waterfall
That night, after our delicious meal of tuna and pasta, we spent a couple of hours playing cards with a bunch of Israeli guys and a dutch couple. We were surprised how many Israeli's we met, but supposedly it is very common to travel after you finish your military service and Australia and New Zealand are popular destinations. Once it got dark, around 9:30pm, Louisa and I went out "Spotlighting" to search for kiwis. Supposedly a male and female live in the clearing in front of the hut and the hut warden played us their calls, so we knew what to listen for. Unfortunately we didn't seen any kiwis, but we did see a deer (a feral pest in Fiordland) and a morepork (a native owl).
Day 3
After a slightly quieter night in the hut, we set off down the Iris Burn valley. Most of the track was through more beech forests, with lots of ferns, fungi, but not many birds or wildlife. The track had a couple of detours as a result of landslides. We followed the river down the valley until we reached Manapori Lake - claimed to be the most beautiful lake in New Zealand. We walked along the side of the lake and reached the hut. What an idyllic location for a hut, about 20 m from the lake. The weather had finally cleared up and it was relatively warm and sunny, although the wind had picked up and there were some significant waves on the lake. We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out on the beach and braving a brief swim in the cool waters of the lake - very refreshing, especially after 3 days of walking and no showers!
Fungi in the forest
Lake Manapori
Day 4
Last day of the tramp. We set off and soon left the edge of Lake Manapori and headed through some wetlands and down to the river that connects Lake Te Anau with Lake Manapori. We walked along the edge of the river until we were back at the control gates. There was a lot more foot traffic along this section, with lots of day walkers. From the control gates we strolled back to Te Anau along the lake front. Back at the hostel we had a quick shower and then headed down to the pub for a beer and some hot chips. The perfect way to end a long walk!
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