This is view from Splash Gordons where Lisa works (the mountains in the distance are the South Island)
Yip, 'tis true, I managed to get out and about in the wilderness that is the New Zealand Bush (No comments about the Red Back please). After 5 years and 5 trips around the world my worthy backpack finally got the use it deserved and went on a hike!
I recently, joined the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club - you've seen the photos from the Kaitoke trip earlier in the blog. This time I had the chance to go on a weekend trip - a whole 3 days of walking in mud, sleeping under the stars and not washing, what more could a body ask for?
Well, the weekend was fantastic! Mazzie, I was back in the Tongariro National Park, this time without the night of Karoke, drunken stalkers and low cloud. Drove up from Wellington on Friday night and slept under a fly at the road end. No, you didn't read wrong there, I did write the word "fly". The Kiwis in their eternal wisdom do not use a tent, nope instead imagine a tent without the sides and front panels - yes, that's it a canvas roof. A great place to be at below 5C! But the sleeping bag was up to the job so I slept like a log - Christie's Lisdoonvarna line looping through me head the whole time, "Me tent and me ground-sheet rolled up tight".
Saturday, Derek the morning person (ahem), was awoken at 7 by lots of chirpy walkers. How did I end up on this? Anyway, got to the start of the track for 9ish and proceeded to walk to the hut from there, unfortunately the camera was on the blink in the morning so I can only include shots of the afternoon. Needless, to say I was duly abused by all the Kiwi trampers for my reticence at getting my boots wet. Seems a Kiwi is only truly happy when they are knee deep in mud with boots full of water - maybe they did come from Leitrim?
So on to the hut, stopping for lunch at some beautiful waterfalls and onwards up to the snowline. Aye, the hut was at 1300M (4000ft) so there was some snow - some of the North Island's main ski fields could be seen from the back of the hut.
We had a great evening and night there - the fire would have kept even Kazzie happy. The next morning broke in true Irish style - rain! Had to walk the 4 hours back to the van in the rain - not to mention ford a few rivers whose levels has risen overnight. It was great, like being a big kid again. Stayed relatively dry and had an amazing time. If you get the chance why not get out for the weekend and see what's out there.
Mount Ruepehu from Blyth Hut
For those that are concerned, the backpack survived the trip and is looking forward to a long weekend around the Nelson Lakes in October.
Hope everyone is truly enjoying their August sun.
D
And now for the obligatory shots ...
The bold adventurers tramp on the snow.
It's amazing the plants and mosses that you see on the rocks
Heading back to the hut for dinner.
