The next day leaves through a 'hobbit' forest of stunted beech trees and a million varieties of moss, pushing uphill and uphill once more, zigzagging in a compressed 'seven dwarfs' like column until we pierce the canopy and hit the views.
This next section is now for us the best few hours of the trip as first you see the Lake Mackenzie valley then turn to view the Holyford valley outward to the sea in the far distance. There are many wild flowers of different size and nature, mainly white or yellow as they were historically pollinated by moths who like the contrasting 'sheek' look. The profusion is helped by constant walkers keeping grazing animals away.
The walk continues tucked tight into the Holyford Face, a stunning tightrope track just above the treeline but below the ridges, with incredible views but giving much desired shadows to walk in away from the sun gods powers. This path eventually peels up into sunlight and the Harris Saddle, the top most pass, where we take some more vantage from the Conical Hill return.
The Harris Saddle is very English Lake District with bald terrain, silent winds and the deep Lake Harris. Dropping down from here soon brings us to the Routeburn Falls Lodge for the night, with its Otago Pinor Noir awaiting and customary pancake throwing ritual which is jolly good fun.
"Will there be sand flies tomorrow?" a lady asks the guides. They answer nicely. "Will there be sand flies in the pub?" Steve asks the guides helpfully.
 |
| Views back to Mackenzie |
 |
| High now above the Holyford Vallay |
 |
| Walking the narrow track in the mountainside |
 |
| Approaching the turn up to the Harris Saddle |
 |
| Bye Holyford |
 |
| High above the Harris Saddle |
 |
| Lunch hut on the saddle |
 |
| The Routeburn Valley with the lodge in the foreground |
No comments:
Post a Comment