Started back on the the trail Monday 21 February.
Thanks Mothy for taking us down to Geraldine which is quite a haul from his place, cheers owe u a beer or two.
As we had heard the Bush stream track we would normally walk up was still running very high and we didn’t want to go swimming, so we were dropped off a bit earlier and ventured up the Forest stream track. Bloody hell this meant we had to cross an extra saddle an boy was it a steep climb out of the river bed. Anyhow after much puffing we made it over that and then Stag saddle at 1975m, the highest point on the whole trail, so we got to tick that buggar off. From there it was sort of down a steep hill an into Tekapo.
The trail notes suggest biking the next two sections which makes a nice change so we ebiked into Twizel and stayed with Tash an Grant. Great to catch up again an share a couple of stories from our adventure. The next day we biked onto Lake Ohau Lodge staying that night.
While biking along the canals we ran into NOBO TA walker Avery just out of Twizel. He greeted us by saying hello Wandering Wells. You should have seen Jenny’s eyes light up when he said that. What a magic moment for her.
The walk from Lake Ohau to Lake Hawea was over 3 very very very high hills. Ohau range 1374m, Mt Martha saddle 1700m , Breast Hill 1578m. Views from Breast Hill over Lake Hawea an out to Wanaka we’re amazing.
Wanaka to Queenstown is the last piece of real mountain terrain we will journey over and that’s along the Motutapu track. This is a hilly track but on the positive side the DOC huts are quite flash at only 15 years old.
I will always think of Hammer when going thru this area, cheers John.
New shoes for me in Wanaka. My feet were telling me it’s time for another pair. Shame to get them dirty.
Total ks travelled is 360 over 14 days