OK, it's the morning of the tramp and we are both a little apprehensive. We had breakfast and put all of our luggage in storage and headed out for Te Anau Downs the jump off point for the Milford Track. We figured we would have lunch there (our last real meal for four days) only to find out that it's actually a dock, not a town!
A boat takes you across the sound and drops you off at the beginning of the tramp. The first day was relatively easy as it was a short hike, only 3.5 miles to the first hut, Clinton Hut.
Because we started in the afternoon, by the time we got to the hut, we made dinner and went to sleep. Next day we hiked to Minatro hut which was a total of 10 miles, which was relatively hard but the worst part was the last hour which was all uphill with a large elevation gain. We hung in there and were acutally not the last ones in but I think that it because a lot of the young guys slept late!
Day three was the most difficult. It was only 8.5 miles but it was 600m of elevation up the mountain, over McKinnon pass (at apx. 4000')and then down 1000m of elevation, this was all carrying about 33 pounds each in our backpacks. When we got to the top of McKinnon Pass, it was totally socked in with weather. We were able to see patches of blue come and go, so we decided to wait and see if it would clear. After about one hour at the summit (very cold and windy) we had blue skys and phenomenal views! The hike down was the killer part but there were unbelievable streams, waterfalls and non stop views to keep you going.
We got to Dumpling hut exhausted.
The huts were all basic shared bunk accommodations and shared kitchen facilities where you cooked your own meals. Each group hiking was limited to 40 people so you got to spend time getting to know many people from many different countries. There was an older couple from Germany that had us in awe. They were acutally six months into a one year round the world trip and they were enjoying every moment. The two of them have been traveling with one backpack each, amazing when you see what Tom and I have, and we thought we were light.
The last day hike, even though it was flat, was 11.5 miles back to the lake to meet a boat at a specific time for our departure. So you really had to hoof it, but we made it with at least 5 minutes to spare and received congratulations from all the people who kept saying to us "You're from New York? Where did you train?????" Tom kept telling them the local pub.......
Anyway, it was onto the boat to Milford Sound where we were spending the night. The next day we did a boat cruise of the entire Sound and the fiord (what the Milford actually is) and it was quite breathtaking. It was supposed to be raining so we debated not going, but we went anyway. Right before we left, the blue skies opened and the pictures just can't do this place justice.
A boat takes you across the sound and drops you off at the beginning of the tramp. The first day was relatively easy as it was a short hike, only 3.5 miles to the first hut, Clinton Hut.
Because we started in the afternoon, by the time we got to the hut, we made dinner and went to sleep. Next day we hiked to Minatro hut which was a total of 10 miles, which was relatively hard but the worst part was the last hour which was all uphill with a large elevation gain. We hung in there and were acutally not the last ones in but I think that it because a lot of the young guys slept late!
Day three was the most difficult. It was only 8.5 miles but it was 600m of elevation up the mountain, over McKinnon pass (at apx. 4000')and then down 1000m of elevation, this was all carrying about 33 pounds each in our backpacks. When we got to the top of McKinnon Pass, it was totally socked in with weather. We were able to see patches of blue come and go, so we decided to wait and see if it would clear. After about one hour at the summit (very cold and windy) we had blue skys and phenomenal views! The hike down was the killer part but there were unbelievable streams, waterfalls and non stop views to keep you going.
We got to Dumpling hut exhausted.
The huts were all basic shared bunk accommodations and shared kitchen facilities where you cooked your own meals. Each group hiking was limited to 40 people so you got to spend time getting to know many people from many different countries. There was an older couple from Germany that had us in awe. They were acutally six months into a one year round the world trip and they were enjoying every moment. The two of them have been traveling with one backpack each, amazing when you see what Tom and I have, and we thought we were light.
The last day hike, even though it was flat, was 11.5 miles back to the lake to meet a boat at a specific time for our departure. So you really had to hoof it, but we made it with at least 5 minutes to spare and received congratulations from all the people who kept saying to us "You're from New York? Where did you train?????" Tom kept telling them the local pub.......
Anyway, it was onto the boat to Milford Sound where we were spending the night. The next day we did a boat cruise of the entire Sound and the fiord (what the Milford actually is) and it was quite breathtaking. It was supposed to be raining so we debated not going, but we went anyway. Right before we left, the blue skies opened and the pictures just can't do this place justice.
1 comment:
Its great hearing from you and the pic are so beautiful. Hut not so bad. My back would be killing me with all the stuff you are carrying around. Hope to hear from you soon.
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