Visiting New Zealand
The Routeburn Track, Queenstown and Christchurch

We wanted to do some hiking while in New Zealand, and we decided to do the Routeburn track.  The above picture is from Key Summit on the western end of the trail.	Another picture from the same location.  It should also be mentioned that the Routeburn Track was named one of the top eleven trails in the world by the National Geographic Adventure Magazine in May 2005.

As Wikipedia explains: "The Routeburn Track is a world-renowned tramping (hiking) track found on the South Island of New Zealand. The track is usually completed by starting on the Queenstown side of the Southern Alps, at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, and finishing on the Te Anau side, at the Divide, several kilometres from the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound".	"The New Zealand Department of Conservation classifies this track as a Great Walk and maintains four huts along the track: Routeburn Flats Hut, Routeburn Falls Hut, Mackenzie Hut, and Howden Hut; in addition there is an emergency shelter at Harris Saddle. The track overlaps two National Parks; the Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park's with the border being Harris Saddle".

"This area gets much less rain than the Milford Sound, and the forests are very different, especially on the eastern side of the saddle, where there are a lot of large pines and other trees, and relatively few ferns. The track spends a long time on the high ridges around Harris Saddle, with great long distance views in many directions".	Yuka and I joined a three day guided walk by Ultimate Hikes, and the above picture is of the camp by Lake Mackenzie where we spent the first night.  While the guided tour is very expensive, a hot shower in the evening is worth paying for.

This picture is of Lake Mackenzie, which is located just 5 minutes from the camp.  "Access to the Routeburn Track is not as tightly controlled as the Milford Track. Camping is allowed, though both huts and camping spaces must be booked in advance. There is a surcharge for non-ticket holders. There is a choice of which direction to go, and which huts to stay in".	"On the western side, almost everyone stays at the MacKenzie Hut, but on the eastern side, one can stay at the Falls Hut or Flats Hut. The Falls Hut is more popular, since staying there breaks up the climb to the saddle better, especially coming from the east. Camping is not allowed at Falls Hut, however".

Yuka had never been on a major hiking trip before, but she took it with great stride.	On our second day, we got the bonus of riding a helicopter as part of the track was closed due to avalanche danger.  While the flight was only a minute long, this was the first time for me to ride in a helicopter and thus fairly exciting.

More Pictures From "New Zealand"
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