On the trail, On the ice

Hey all, more photos of our recent exploits, including a lucky trip up the Franz Josef glacier with Brian, a glaciologist and our current wwoof host. We spent a bunch of days here helping him and his partner Lynley hang drywall and build a spiral staircase in their beautiful house on the west coast. Lots of tools, sawdust, and cans of cheap beer. We're heading up to Golden Bay to work at a wwoof that makes drums as well as veggies, and we'll be wwoofing and bumming around that region for the next month or so...

We'll start with some selections from our 3-day jaunt up the and down the Young and Wilkin Valleys, which included a crossing of Gillespie Pass:

The view from our hut as we start our second day

This is as we reach the head of the Young Valley, Gillespie pass is up that steep spur to the left

Tricie looking stern in the presence of Mt. Awful

Mt. Dreadful in the background, Conor in the foreground

Photo courtesy of our summit friend Brad from New Hampshire


A long day in the hot sun, an icy cold stream, life is good...


On our way out of the Wilkin Valley


On our way up the Franz Josef Glacier


Getting ready to fix some poles in the ice...


Tricie cranking the drill


That should be deep enough...


Heading home

Rees-Dart

We gave ourselves three days to recover and then plunged into the Rees-Dart Tramp.

Hiking separately, Conor up the Dart river valley and Tricie up the Rees river we met at Dart Hut and scurried up alongside the Dart Glacier to the magestic and awe-inspiring Cascade Saddle.

More than 1000 meters of sheer cliff stood below us, dropping to the Matukituki Valley. An enormous waterfall fell to our right and we caught a glimpse of Mt. Aspiring to the left despite the tremendous clouds rolling in. A tramp in wet weather on the third day rewarded each of us in our respective valleys with snow-clad mountain tops for the 4th day and hike out.

The crossing to Dart Hut.

The views on our drive were brightly lit and sparkling.

We left the glacially fed rivers and clear mountain air for an arid river terrace and some good old dirt-digging in lovely Wanaka.We left a 10 by 15 foot compost legacy at 110 Loess Lane (as well as some deep tree-holes and a greenhouse foundation).

Dusky Track

The Beginning. We hopped a boat across Lake Hauroko, crashing through waves and swerving under waterfalls. Our skipper had been making the trip, ferrying trampers to the start of the track for over 20 years. We were accompanied on the boat, as well as most of the track, by two Auckland Kiwis, providing endless entertainment in the huts.

Our second hut, above tree-line amidst tarns, tussuck and near Lake Roe. A sweet little pot-belly dried us out and the morning dawned bright and clear. We awoke to a chopper and DOC dropping a new coal supply.

We took ample opportunities to kick back, relax, and enjoy...

The Views.

On the fourth night we arrived at Dusky Sound. True to its reputation fog rolled in and rain, which was to accompany our next four days of tramping, fell gently into the waters.

The last pass and view of our third and final valley to traverse. The rain broke for a few hours and we stopped here to munch crackers and chocolate.

Conor slides across a wire crossing in the driving rain. More than 40 of these traverse rivers and streams which swell in the all-to0-frequent rains.

And the view from our final hut on the upper Spey River. We caught a tourist filled boat across Lake Manapouri and dripped ourselves dry onto the plush seating. A night in Te Anau and a circuitous hitch back to the van completed our 9 day Dusky Odessey. Magical and intense, the experience swallows you.

Photo Update

Camping south of Dunedin a few days after New Year's on the Catlin Coast.

Nugget Point

The southernmost point of the South Island. Wind was blowing 70-80 kph over the cliff and surf pounding below. Sun broke through the clouds just before we turned for home (the van).

Stewart Island