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Routeburn Track, New Zealand


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  • #1258787
    Ryan Teale
    BPL Member

    @monstertruck-2

    Locale: Almost Yosemite

    I took a 2 month trip to the South Island of New Zealand in Feb. and Mar. of 2007. One of the many Tramps on the itinerary was The Routeburn Track located in Mt. Aspiring National Park.

    It was a two night/3 day trip covering 32km. My hut stays were booked months in advance but last minute slots were available and camping is possible near the huts as well. I stayed at the Routeburn Falls hut the first night and the McKenzie hut the second night. This trek is quite easy and could be done in two or even one day by a fit tramper.

    As you will see below the scenery is spectacular and it would be a shame to rush through it all. The social aspect of staying in the huts is also a unique and enjoyable experience. I would end up staying at the homes of a few trampers later on in my travels!

    The trip would start off in torrential rain. The track was often a stream of cold water. The dripping wet beech forest was a sublime backdrop!

    Beech

    A porthole through the canopy allowed a view of the tempest.

    Tempest

    Once the hut was reached everyone tried in vain to dry their damp belongings and warm the body with a hot drink.

    Hut

    The storm began to break around sundown and the view from the deck could be appreciated!

    Sundown

    We were greeted by sun as we began the climb to Harris Saddle through the beautiful alpine tundra.

    Tundra

    Cascade

    Tundra

    Rock and Cloud

    Just before the Saddle is spectacular Lake Harris.

    Lake Harris

    lake Harris

    Lake Harris

    The storm shelters at the Saddle make for a crowded lunch stop.

    Rest Stop

    You can leave some of the crowd behind by climbing up to Conical Hill to catch a better view.

    Key Summit

    Soon we were descending into the clouds on our way down to the Mckenzie Hut.

    Porthole

    A tropical looking cascade appeared just before we dropped below the tree line!

    Tropical Cascade

    Almost any trek in New Zealand will include spectacular tread as seen below. Some people can't wait to get above treeline but I enjoyed the forest as well.

    Forrest tread

    I can't think of a more spectacular place to build a hut!

    Lake Mckenzie

    Lake Mckenzie

    The last day of hiking would bring us to the Milford Road and on to the Milford Track the next day!

    Fruit Yard

    Falls

    The End

    #1608551
    Christopher Konsowitz
    Spectator

    @thekonz

    Locale: Rocky Mountains

    Ryan,

    Your pictures are unreal. Some of them even look fake they are so beautiful. I want to go right now!! Thanks for the pictures, they are amazing!

    Chris

    #1608570
    Miguel Arboleda
    BPL Member

    @butuki

    Locale: Kanto Plain, Japan

    It always surprises me how similar the mountains in New Zealand are to those here in Japan. I have to go to New Zealand one day!

    #1608595
    Ryan Teale
    BPL Member

    @monstertruck-2

    Locale: Almost Yosemite

    Thanks guys. It really is that beautiful! So many mountains and so little time! There are endless amounts of tramps there and I would love to get back down there. I've got a few more reports to work on in the next week or so.

    #1608641
    Eugene Smith
    BPL Member

    @eugeneius

    Locale: Nuevo Mexico

    Unreal, absolutely unreal. I cannot believe such a beautiful place exists. I'm glad you took the time to share your images and your words. Thanks.

    #1608644
    Philip Delvoie
    BPL Member

    @philipd

    Locale: Ontario, Canada

    Beautiful pictures. Wow.

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