Day 4 – 5: Routeburn Track
We took a look at the weather forecast, and decided to start our 3-Day hike (sorry, “tramping”) on the Routeburn Track at 10AM, rather than 2PM to take advantage of the little bit of sun in the morning. So we hopped on our Info & Track transport bus at 8AM, took a wee detour to Glenorchy (for a fabulous sunrise photo-shoot by the lake) and hit the trail bright & early.
Heading to the Routeburn Trail!
Misty sunrise in Glenorchy
Igor is too sexy for New Zealand
Starting the Routeburn Track!
So, everyone was asking Lindsay if we did any training before this trip, and she blew everyone off with a, “Hell’s no, why would we need to train?” – yeah, Lindsay keeps forgetting she’s not 25 anymore. The Routeburn kicked Lindsay’s butt!
So many assents. But when the clouds part, the view is amazing!
We reached the Routeburn Falls Hut and got another break in the clouds, so we dropped off our sleeping bags and clothes, and continued to the Harris Saddle Shelter so that we could get as many photos in the sunshine as possible.
A brief break & parting of the clouds at Harris Saddle
Lindsay was SO HAPPY when we got back to the Hut for dinner, which was three packets of beef ramen, and a can of sprats. After dinner, we lasted about 30 more minutes for the warden’s talk (during which he warned us that the rangers at the next hut would sell us fishing licenses and poles, even though there are no fish in the alpine lakes), and then we passed out as soon as the sun went down at 8:30PM.
A much-needed rest at the Routeburn Falls Hut
The next morning it was pouring buckets, which really sucked since we had a 10-hour walk to Lake Howden Hut. Igor decided to see if the warden could find us two extra beds at Lake Mackenzie Hut (only 6 hours away), and – Success! – we lucked out and got two beds that other trampers had cancelled due to the rain. So instead of walking through a storm, we got to hang out in the dry hut and play cards all morning. Other than a few light sprinkles, the rest of the day was beautiful. When we got back the Harris Saddle, Igor decided to ditch his bag at the bottom and literally run up Conical Hill for an hour and a half, gambling that the clouds would lift long enough for him to see the views of the Tasman Sea and the Darren Mountains. Luck was on his side, and he got a great view!
A glimpse of the Tasman Sea, and Igor’s couple of boots
The view from Conical Hill, & return to Harris Saddle
The rest of the trail to Mackenzie was relatively flat and very gorgeous – surrounded on all sides by dramatic mountains! Very Middle-Earth.
Very Fellowship of the Ring
Crossing from the Misty Mountains into Fangorn Forest!
When we got the Mackenzie Hut, we discovered that the sleeping arrangements were much more intimate than the previous hut. After a brief dinner (More ramen. We were jealously staring at everyone else’s delicious-looking food – hot dogs, butter chicken, mac & cheese) we conked out early again, dreaming of private bedrooms and a grocery store.
Lake Mackenzie Hut – each bunk slept 4 people across!
Loving reading about your adventures! 4 across included… fingers crossed that there are no orcs in these parts.
I love reading everything too–thanks for all the details and photos.
Great armchair travel. what views!
Hope you found private beds and a grocery
store! — xoxo Wendy
OMG, I love the pictures and commentary for the Routeburn Track. I can’t wait for our helicopter tour…hope you found a grocery store–I’d be jealous too the beef ramen and the can of spat “oh my!” I see steak and fish in your future!!!! Love Mom and Bo