The Orongorongo Track
Hoop bridge near the end of the track
Looking down the Orongorongo River
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Screaming O MTB Race
The Orongorongo Track
Hoop bridge near the end of the track
Looking down the Orongorongo River
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Shamrock Hut and Mt Matthews
Mt Matthews is the highest peak that we can see across Wellington Harbour and a peak we have been aiming to conquer for a while. The problem is that it is a very long/hard day walk - with a 3 hour walk in/out. So when Barbara and Sam booked Shamrock Hut in the Orongoronga valley for the weekend we eagerly accepted the offer to join them and several friends to climb Mt Matthews.
We walked in on Friday night - after the compulsary stop for "Fush and Chups" on the way to the trailhead. We set off in the light - but it soon turned dark, which made the track finding a little interesting at times, as it wasn't easy to spot the orange triangles that were 100 m apart and parts of the track were somewhat overgrown! Our walk was also slowed by 2 idiots who were trying to walk up the track to another hut in the pitch black. They walked in amongst us using our light to walk. It reminded me of doing the 24 hour mountain bike races when people's lights died and they tried to use you to guide them around the course!
Shamrock Hut
We got to the little hut around 9:30pm and after a cup of tea and some cake we all retreated to our sleeping bags. The next morning the weather was still nice - despite the threatening weather forecast. So Sam, Aaron and Helen set off up Mt Matthews with our day packs. The others spent the day exploring the upper half of the Orongoronga river valley.
Half way up Mt Matthews - Aaron, Sam and Helen
The walk up Mt Matthews is very steep in places. You found yourself holding on to trees and roots to pull yourself up some sections. Eventually we made it to the top after 3 hours. We had walked about 4 km and climbed 750 m. Admittedly we hadn't been racing! Unfortunately the views from the top were intermittent, with the odd gap in the clouds allowing the view down to Lake Ferry and across to Cape Palliser. We had lunch on the top, and Aaron and I participated in our first Geocache - a whole new world of reasons to go places!
The walk back down took almost as long as the climb up and we made it back to Shamrock Hut just before the rain hit - perfect timing. Barbara had organised for each of us to provide a different part of dinner. It turned in to quite an impressive affair with pasta carbonara followed by meringes with cream and berry coulis provided by Grace.
Barbara cooking yummy pasta dinner
Andrew and Dee watching the dinner preparations from the top bunks
It rained and rained all night.... so we had a lazy morning in the hut with Andrew and Dee cooking us banana buckwheat pancakes and making proper italian coffee. Definitely no slumming this weekend. We played a couple of rounds of charades and another game while we waited for the rain to stop. Around 12pm we decided it wasn't really going to stop - but at least it wasn't heavy. So we packed up and set off down the river valley. After all the rain the river crossings were a lot more interesting on the way back than they had been on Friday and Saturday when we had managed to keep our feet dry by jumping between rocks.
Aaron crossing a rather deeper, faster flowing river after all the rain over night and most of the morning.
Danny and Grace (the smurfs) crossing the suspension bridge heading back on Sunday afternoon
We got back to the cars - rather wet and a little chilled. It was a fun weekend. Shame winter is coming and the days are getting shorter.....
We walked in on Friday night - after the compulsary stop for "Fush and Chups" on the way to the trailhead. We set off in the light - but it soon turned dark, which made the track finding a little interesting at times, as it wasn't easy to spot the orange triangles that were 100 m apart and parts of the track were somewhat overgrown! Our walk was also slowed by 2 idiots who were trying to walk up the track to another hut in the pitch black. They walked in amongst us using our light to walk. It reminded me of doing the 24 hour mountain bike races when people's lights died and they tried to use you to guide them around the course!
Shamrock Hut
We got to the little hut around 9:30pm and after a cup of tea and some cake we all retreated to our sleeping bags. The next morning the weather was still nice - despite the threatening weather forecast. So Sam, Aaron and Helen set off up Mt Matthews with our day packs. The others spent the day exploring the upper half of the Orongoronga river valley.
Half way up Mt Matthews - Aaron, Sam and Helen
The walk up Mt Matthews is very steep in places. You found yourself holding on to trees and roots to pull yourself up some sections. Eventually we made it to the top after 3 hours. We had walked about 4 km and climbed 750 m. Admittedly we hadn't been racing! Unfortunately the views from the top were intermittent, with the odd gap in the clouds allowing the view down to Lake Ferry and across to Cape Palliser. We had lunch on the top, and Aaron and I participated in our first Geocache - a whole new world of reasons to go places!
The walk back down took almost as long as the climb up and we made it back to Shamrock Hut just before the rain hit - perfect timing. Barbara had organised for each of us to provide a different part of dinner. It turned in to quite an impressive affair with pasta carbonara followed by meringes with cream and berry coulis provided by Grace.
Barbara cooking yummy pasta dinner
Andrew and Dee watching the dinner preparations from the top bunks
It rained and rained all night.... so we had a lazy morning in the hut with Andrew and Dee cooking us banana buckwheat pancakes and making proper italian coffee. Definitely no slumming this weekend. We played a couple of rounds of charades and another game while we waited for the rain to stop. Around 12pm we decided it wasn't really going to stop - but at least it wasn't heavy. So we packed up and set off down the river valley. After all the rain the river crossings were a lot more interesting on the way back than they had been on Friday and Saturday when we had managed to keep our feet dry by jumping between rocks.
Aaron crossing a rather deeper, faster flowing river after all the rain over night and most of the morning.
Danny and Grace (the smurfs) crossing the suspension bridge heading back on Sunday afternoon
We got back to the cars - rather wet and a little chilled. It was a fun weekend. Shame winter is coming and the days are getting shorter.....
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Homegrown
Yesterday Helen and I attended Homegrown - a music festival that celebrates New Zealand bands. They split the venue up into different stages to suit different genres of music - rock, indie, electronic and dub & roots. We spent most of the day at the "rock" stage.
The first band was Streetwise Scarlet. I was only familiar with one of their songs which was the theme to a C4 (music television channel) commercial. There weren't very many people there when they started as it was only 2:00pm. We weren't very far from the stage and it was awesome! The sound was a bit rough but these guys were amazing. They were so good I actually went and bought their CD.
Next up was Goodnight Nurse. We have their newest CD and were one of the reasons to get tickets. They were even better that Streetwise Scarlet! They played some of their older stuff which I hadn’t heard but really liked. They played covers of Blink 182’s “Dumpweed” and Nelis “Milkshake” which were both really good.
After them was Elemeno P. Another band I first heard as the theme music to a TV commercial (Telecom this time). I wouldn’t really call these guys rock and wasn’t all that impressed. Some of their stuff was pretty good.
By this time we needed some food so decided to take a break and find some food. We also checked a few of the other venues to see what they were like.
After food we headed back to the “rock” stage and caught the end of Evermore. We got hear “running” probably their most recognizable song. Next up was Op Shop. These guys were probably biggest surprise of the day. I expected them to be more soft rock but much of the stuff they played was fairly heavy and the sound was great!
Blindspott came up next. They were super heavy with kind of a Nu metal (rap-rock sound). THe first half of their set was a bit to load and over the top (guess I am getting old). The second half slowed down a bit and was much better.
The final band was Supergroove who were also pretty good.
All in all, we had 10-11 hours of music for less than $100. Great deal and we will probably be back next year.
The first band was Streetwise Scarlet. I was only familiar with one of their songs which was the theme to a C4 (music television channel) commercial. There weren't very many people there when they started as it was only 2:00pm. We weren't very far from the stage and it was awesome! The sound was a bit rough but these guys were amazing. They were so good I actually went and bought their CD.
Next up was Goodnight Nurse. We have their newest CD and were one of the reasons to get tickets. They were even better that Streetwise Scarlet! They played some of their older stuff which I hadn’t heard but really liked. They played covers of Blink 182’s “Dumpweed” and Nelis “Milkshake” which were both really good.
After them was Elemeno P. Another band I first heard as the theme music to a TV commercial (Telecom this time). I wouldn’t really call these guys rock and wasn’t all that impressed. Some of their stuff was pretty good.
By this time we needed some food so decided to take a break and find some food. We also checked a few of the other venues to see what they were like.
After food we headed back to the “rock” stage and caught the end of Evermore. We got hear “running” probably their most recognizable song. Next up was Op Shop. These guys were probably biggest surprise of the day. I expected them to be more soft rock but much of the stuff they played was fairly heavy and the sound was great!
Blindspott came up next. They were super heavy with kind of a Nu metal (rap-rock sound). THe first half of their set was a bit to load and over the top (guess I am getting old). The second half slowed down a bit and was much better.
The final band was Supergroove who were also pretty good.
All in all, we had 10-11 hours of music for less than $100. Great deal and we will probably be back next year.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
David and Elizabeth's visit to NZ
Trip to the north of the south island
Helen's mum and dad (Elizabeth and David) arrived in Wellington at the beginning of February. They have been to New Zealand before but had never visited the south of the north island or the north of the south island - so after a few days of them getting over their jet lag and looking around Wellington we took the ferry over the south island for 10 days holiday.
It was a relatively uneventful trip over on the ferry and we stopped briefly in Picton for lunch before heading over to Mistletoe Bay on Queen Charlotte Sound. The weather was nice - so Aaron and David cycled on the Queen Charlotte Track to Anakiwa and back and Elizabeth and Helen headed out for a paddle. It started off quite calm, but the wind picked up and we had a bit of a work out as we paddle back into Mistletoe Bay.
Marlborough Sounds
Our car loaded up with 3 bikes, a double kayak and 4 people for 10 days holiday!
Elizabeth in the front of the kayak
David riding on the Queen Charlotte Track
Post ride deconstruction at the cabins we were staying at Mistletoe Bay
The next day it was pouring with rain, so we headed over to Renwick to go wine tasting for the day. It appears that lots of other people were also using this as a rainy day option. We went to a couple of the lesser known wines from the smaller wineries including Seresin and Te Huia. We purchased a good selection of wines to drink the rest of our holiday!
Nelson Lakes
On Saturday afternoon we headed over to Nelson Lakes after a morning of more riding and kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds. Sunday it was pouring with rain - but that didn't stop the hardy Elizabeth and David from heading up Mt Roberts, while Aaron and Helen had a little paddle in Lake Rotoiti.
Golden Bay
On our way over to Golden Bay Elizabeth dropped the rest of us off at the top of Takaka Hill so that we could ride the Rameka Track through the Abel Tasman National Park. The first part is gravel road through Canaan Downs, then we took a detour to see Haywards Hole, a very large cave, before joining the Rameka single track through the bush. The track was certainly challenging with lots of tricky stream crossings.
Aaron, David and Helen starting out to ride the Rameka Track from the top of Takaka Hill
The Rameka track ends in Takaka where Elizabeth had spent the morning checking out the museum and craft shops. We treated ourselves to a real fruit ice-cream before heading on over to the far end of Golden Bay where we were staying in a friend's parents bach for the rest of the holiday.
The bach is surrounded by native bush with views out over the very shallow bay which is completely exposed at low tide. There were lots of birds - mostly black swans and spotted shags. Elizabeth and Helen went out kayaking at high tide around the headland and island and got up fairly close to the birds and a couple of fur seals that were sleeping on the rocks.
Seal on the rocks around Puponga
Spotted shag on the rocks off Puponga
Whiriraki Beach has got to be one of the most spectacular beaches in New Zealand. We spent a short time exploring the beach before walking east along the cliffs on the coast towards Farewell Spit. The walk was a little harder than we expected - with lots of up and down, but the views were spectacular.
Elizabeth and David at Whiriraki Beach
View of Farewell Spit from the coastal walk
On Wednesday we had planned to go sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park. However the weather was foul. February should be the driest month in New Zealand, but David and Elizabeth appear to have brought their rain curse with them again! So after driving over to the north end of Abel Tasman in the pouring rain, we came back via lunch at the infamous Mussel Inn.
Fortunately the weather cleared up on Thursday and Aaron and Helen went out in the morning to explore the Aorere Gold fields mountain bike tracks. Then in the afternoon we had booked a trip out on to Farewell Spit. We got a guided tour which included the Maori and Pakeha history, the geology (some of it was a little off - but it was mostly correct), and the wildlife - with a little bit of moralising from the guide a long the way. We saw quite a few seals basking on the beach and a few birds. The large sand dunes were quite impressive.
David, Aaron, Helen and Elizabeth on top of a sand dune on Farewell Spit
The next day Elizabeth and David did the Kaituna track from Whanganui Inlet to the Collingwood valley. They got a taste of hardcore New Zealand tramping..... where you can't navigate as you are in the trees the whole time and the track has lots of roots, bit slippy, slightly overgrown, with a lot of up and down. They managed the 18 km in 8 hours! We had dinner at the cafe at the end of the track - the Naked Possum, where even the manager was impressed that they had completed the walk. While they were walking we went for a little paddle in the Whanganui Inlet before going for lunch and a swim at the Kaitoka lakes.
Saturday the rain came in again .... time to head home.
Helen's mum and dad (Elizabeth and David) arrived in Wellington at the beginning of February. They have been to New Zealand before but had never visited the south of the north island or the north of the south island - so after a few days of them getting over their jet lag and looking around Wellington we took the ferry over the south island for 10 days holiday.
It was a relatively uneventful trip over on the ferry and we stopped briefly in Picton for lunch before heading over to Mistletoe Bay on Queen Charlotte Sound. The weather was nice - so Aaron and David cycled on the Queen Charlotte Track to Anakiwa and back and Elizabeth and Helen headed out for a paddle. It started off quite calm, but the wind picked up and we had a bit of a work out as we paddle back into Mistletoe Bay.
Marlborough Sounds
Our car loaded up with 3 bikes, a double kayak and 4 people for 10 days holiday!
Elizabeth in the front of the kayak
David riding on the Queen Charlotte Track
Post ride deconstruction at the cabins we were staying at Mistletoe Bay
The next day it was pouring with rain, so we headed over to Renwick to go wine tasting for the day. It appears that lots of other people were also using this as a rainy day option. We went to a couple of the lesser known wines from the smaller wineries including Seresin and Te Huia. We purchased a good selection of wines to drink the rest of our holiday!
Nelson Lakes
On Saturday afternoon we headed over to Nelson Lakes after a morning of more riding and kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds. Sunday it was pouring with rain - but that didn't stop the hardy Elizabeth and David from heading up Mt Roberts, while Aaron and Helen had a little paddle in Lake Rotoiti.
Golden Bay
On our way over to Golden Bay Elizabeth dropped the rest of us off at the top of Takaka Hill so that we could ride the Rameka Track through the Abel Tasman National Park. The first part is gravel road through Canaan Downs, then we took a detour to see Haywards Hole, a very large cave, before joining the Rameka single track through the bush. The track was certainly challenging with lots of tricky stream crossings.
Aaron, David and Helen starting out to ride the Rameka Track from the top of Takaka Hill
The Rameka track ends in Takaka where Elizabeth had spent the morning checking out the museum and craft shops. We treated ourselves to a real fruit ice-cream before heading on over to the far end of Golden Bay where we were staying in a friend's parents bach for the rest of the holiday.
The bach is surrounded by native bush with views out over the very shallow bay which is completely exposed at low tide. There were lots of birds - mostly black swans and spotted shags. Elizabeth and Helen went out kayaking at high tide around the headland and island and got up fairly close to the birds and a couple of fur seals that were sleeping on the rocks.
Seal on the rocks around Puponga
Spotted shag on the rocks off Puponga
Whiriraki Beach has got to be one of the most spectacular beaches in New Zealand. We spent a short time exploring the beach before walking east along the cliffs on the coast towards Farewell Spit. The walk was a little harder than we expected - with lots of up and down, but the views were spectacular.
Elizabeth and David at Whiriraki Beach
View of Farewell Spit from the coastal walk
On Wednesday we had planned to go sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park. However the weather was foul. February should be the driest month in New Zealand, but David and Elizabeth appear to have brought their rain curse with them again! So after driving over to the north end of Abel Tasman in the pouring rain, we came back via lunch at the infamous Mussel Inn.
Fortunately the weather cleared up on Thursday and Aaron and Helen went out in the morning to explore the Aorere Gold fields mountain bike tracks. Then in the afternoon we had booked a trip out on to Farewell Spit. We got a guided tour which included the Maori and Pakeha history, the geology (some of it was a little off - but it was mostly correct), and the wildlife - with a little bit of moralising from the guide a long the way. We saw quite a few seals basking on the beach and a few birds. The large sand dunes were quite impressive.
David, Aaron, Helen and Elizabeth on top of a sand dune on Farewell Spit
The next day Elizabeth and David did the Kaituna track from Whanganui Inlet to the Collingwood valley. They got a taste of hardcore New Zealand tramping..... where you can't navigate as you are in the trees the whole time and the track has lots of roots, bit slippy, slightly overgrown, with a lot of up and down. They managed the 18 km in 8 hours! We had dinner at the cafe at the end of the track - the Naked Possum, where even the manager was impressed that they had completed the walk. While they were walking we went for a little paddle in the Whanganui Inlet before going for lunch and a swim at the Kaitoka lakes.
Saturday the rain came in again .... time to head home.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Mt Holdsworth
Well another beautiful, hot weekend - and after my wonderful Southern Crossing it was good to get back into the Tararuas again. Aaron also decided it was time to give his back a test after all the resting, stretching and physio sessions.
So after picking up a couple of the girls on our way out to the Wairarapa we were on our way up the "Gentle Annie" track. The last time we have headed up the Gentle Annie track with my brother and his wife and baby it was far from Gentle, but they have spent a lot of time over the summer working on it and now it is a very nice, smooth track with nicely built stairs. This only lasted up to the Rocky Lookout (the first hour of walking).
It was really hot.... it was forecast to reach 32degrees in the Wairarapa on Sunday and it was very hot and sweaty walking up. We did get the occasional nice cooling breezes. We got up to Powell Hut at the tree line for lunch and decided that as the weather was so nice it would be a shame not to go all the way to the top. We had amazing views down to the very dry Wairarapa, and down to the south, but out to the west there was a blanket of cloud.
Just above the tree line - about to reach Powell Hut
Helen and Anne-Laure at the top
The girls - Helen, Anne-Laure, Kathryn and Carolyn
On the way down it was equally hot and sweaty and we found a wonderful swimming hole in the river and cooled off. No photos - it was beautiful clear water, but we were all in our underwear so the photos are too risky! It was the perfect way to end the wonderful tramp - topped off by the compulsary ice-cream stop on the way home!
(Aaron's back was fine - yay! His legs however were a little sore the next day!)
So after picking up a couple of the girls on our way out to the Wairarapa we were on our way up the "Gentle Annie" track. The last time we have headed up the Gentle Annie track with my brother and his wife and baby it was far from Gentle, but they have spent a lot of time over the summer working on it and now it is a very nice, smooth track with nicely built stairs. This only lasted up to the Rocky Lookout (the first hour of walking).
It was really hot.... it was forecast to reach 32degrees in the Wairarapa on Sunday and it was very hot and sweaty walking up. We did get the occasional nice cooling breezes. We got up to Powell Hut at the tree line for lunch and decided that as the weather was so nice it would be a shame not to go all the way to the top. We had amazing views down to the very dry Wairarapa, and down to the south, but out to the west there was a blanket of cloud.
Just above the tree line - about to reach Powell Hut
Helen and Anne-Laure at the top
The girls - Helen, Anne-Laure, Kathryn and Carolyn
On the way down it was equally hot and sweaty and we found a wonderful swimming hole in the river and cooled off. No photos - it was beautiful clear water, but we were all in our underwear so the photos are too risky! It was the perfect way to end the wonderful tramp - topped off by the compulsary ice-cream stop on the way home!
(Aaron's back was fine - yay! His legs however were a little sore the next day!)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Tararua Southern Crossing
There are many classic walks (or tramps as they are colloquially known here) in New Zealand. One of the lesser known ones - but very popular with Wellingtonians is the Southern Crossing of the Tararuas. I have since found out that there are many versions of the route - but we started at Otaki Forks and headed southeast to Kaitoke in the northern Hutt Valley. The problem with many of these crossings is organising transport, as you start in one place and end somewhere else. Aaron kindly volunteered to drop off Sam, Barbara, me and Rata (the dog) and pick us up, as he is still injured and couldn't carry a pack.
We set off after work on Friday - after a quick stop in Paraparamu for fish and chips. The walk in to the Field Hut for the first night takes a couple of hours. We set off at 7pm and got to the hut just after it had got dark at about 9:30pm. Just in time for a cup of tea and piece of cake. Surprisingly the hut was not very busy and there was still plenty of room (it sleeps 15 or so)- we had brought our sleeping mats just in case we had to roll them out on the floor. Rata has to carry her own stuff in her saddle bags - including water, food, her lead and her blanket to sleep on outside the huts.
Helen, Barbara, Rata (the dog) and Sam about to set off
Field Hut where we spent the first night - the oldest hut in the Tararuas
The second day is a walk along the ridge above the treeline. The weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, and we were rewarded with 180 degree views from Taranaki all along the coast to Kapiti Island, the north of the south island, Wellington and over to the Wairarapa.
Kime Hut - one of the few huts above the tree line, we stopped briefly and refilled water bottles
Sam and Barbara at the top of Mt Hector
Barbara and Rata walking along the ridge
There were a couple of sections where the ridge gets pretty narrow and you wouldn't want to negotiate them on a windy day. We had the opposite problem with no wind and quite warm - so we had to refill water bottles at Kime Hut. Rata also took any opportunity to drink and cool off in little tarns along the way.
On a hot day any little tarn was a welcome dip for Rata to cool off
We reached Alpha Hut, just back below the treeline at 4pm. We had taken our time along the ridge, enjoying the views. At about 5pm we had a bit of excitment as the rescue helicopter landed in the clearing near the hut and a policeman came in and asked us if we had seen a hunter and his dog that were lost. There are quite a few hunters in the Tararuas, hunting deer, pigs etc.. so quite a few of the huts have kennels for their dogs - so Rata got a nice kennel to sleep in at Alpha Hut.
Alpha Hut, our second night just back into the trees again
The final day of the tramp is through "Hell's Gate" and down the Marchant Ridge. For some reason the Marchant Ridge has a bad reputation for being long and boring - but no one we spoke to had actually done it! We didn't find it too bad. It was nice to be in the trees to keep a bit cooler than walking along the ridge. The track was pretty rough in places.
Last day was walking along the Marchant Ridge through the trees - which provided lots of good shade
Last proper view from the top of Mt Marchant
We had arranged to meet Aaron at 6pm at Kaitoke. He actually walked up the path to meet us, but we made it to the car park exactly at 6pm. We had pretty much run out of water and Rata was finally tired! We stopped for the compulsary ice cream on the way home.
The walk is only 35.4 km, with 2,250 m ascent, 2,475 m descent and it took us 19 hours (with lots of breaks) - so we were averaging less than 2 km an hour! They do this route as a race each year - the fastest time is 4 hour and 27 minutes - but I'm guessing they don't have many stops to admire the view!
We set off after work on Friday - after a quick stop in Paraparamu for fish and chips. The walk in to the Field Hut for the first night takes a couple of hours. We set off at 7pm and got to the hut just after it had got dark at about 9:30pm. Just in time for a cup of tea and piece of cake. Surprisingly the hut was not very busy and there was still plenty of room (it sleeps 15 or so)- we had brought our sleeping mats just in case we had to roll them out on the floor. Rata has to carry her own stuff in her saddle bags - including water, food, her lead and her blanket to sleep on outside the huts.
Helen, Barbara, Rata (the dog) and Sam about to set off
Field Hut where we spent the first night - the oldest hut in the Tararuas
The second day is a walk along the ridge above the treeline. The weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, and we were rewarded with 180 degree views from Taranaki all along the coast to Kapiti Island, the north of the south island, Wellington and over to the Wairarapa.
Kime Hut - one of the few huts above the tree line, we stopped briefly and refilled water bottles
Sam and Barbara at the top of Mt Hector
Barbara and Rata walking along the ridge
There were a couple of sections where the ridge gets pretty narrow and you wouldn't want to negotiate them on a windy day. We had the opposite problem with no wind and quite warm - so we had to refill water bottles at Kime Hut. Rata also took any opportunity to drink and cool off in little tarns along the way.
On a hot day any little tarn was a welcome dip for Rata to cool off
We reached Alpha Hut, just back below the treeline at 4pm. We had taken our time along the ridge, enjoying the views. At about 5pm we had a bit of excitment as the rescue helicopter landed in the clearing near the hut and a policeman came in and asked us if we had seen a hunter and his dog that were lost. There are quite a few hunters in the Tararuas, hunting deer, pigs etc.. so quite a few of the huts have kennels for their dogs - so Rata got a nice kennel to sleep in at Alpha Hut.
Alpha Hut, our second night just back into the trees again
The final day of the tramp is through "Hell's Gate" and down the Marchant Ridge. For some reason the Marchant Ridge has a bad reputation for being long and boring - but no one we spoke to had actually done it! We didn't find it too bad. It was nice to be in the trees to keep a bit cooler than walking along the ridge. The track was pretty rough in places.
Last day was walking along the Marchant Ridge through the trees - which provided lots of good shade
Last proper view from the top of Mt Marchant
We had arranged to meet Aaron at 6pm at Kaitoke. He actually walked up the path to meet us, but we made it to the car park exactly at 6pm. We had pretty much run out of water and Rata was finally tired! We stopped for the compulsary ice cream on the way home.
The walk is only 35.4 km, with 2,250 m ascent, 2,475 m descent and it took us 19 hours (with lots of breaks) - so we were averaging less than 2 km an hour! They do this route as a race each year - the fastest time is 4 hour and 27 minutes - but I'm guessing they don't have many stops to admire the view!
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