Thursday, March 10, 2011

Milford Track Day 2, New Zealand

We're off. After a full cooked breakfast though. It is a 10 mile walk, you need your energy. The track follows the Clinton River deep into the bush. There are many exciting suspension bridges and many view points for photos. Although there are quite a lot of people walking the track but because people set off at intervals you don't really have contact with too many other people. The Clinton has two rivers feeding it and the track goes off to the left and up the West Branch popping out into what the guides call the prairie which is very picturesque. After some messing about at a swim hole, which by the way is very cold and gets freezing where the guys are jumping in as it is glazier melt water, we get back on the walk and then finally get to Pompolona Lodge. You really feel now that you are in the middle of nowhere.


Heading off to the Clinton River crossing


One final look back at the Glade House Lodge


View back across the Clinton River to Dore Pass


Unique ancient wetland environment


Suns coming up now .... wow


Time to get the packs back on and get going


Track through bush


Track winds alongside Clinton River


"are we there yet?"


Tracey and Louise overtake again!


Time for a pose


The water is pure enough to drink or just eat the trout


How nice, the guides have made a brew


Bush Stop


Is it a track or a river ?


First view of Mackinnon Pass


Only five more bridges to go


Spooky


OK, who's going for a glacial swim?


"Not me!"


Water fall refreshments


Hypothermia here we come


Last look back


Made it, where the hell are we?