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.
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Heading off to the Clinton River crossing |
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One final look back at the Glade House Lodge |
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View back across the Clinton River to Dore Pass |
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Unique ancient wetland environment |
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Suns coming up now .... wow |
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Time to get the packs back on and get going |
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Track through bush |
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Track winds alongside Clinton River |
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"are we there yet?" |
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Tracey and Louise overtake again! |
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Time for a pose |
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The water is pure enough to drink or just eat the trout |
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How nice, the guides have made a brew |
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Bush Stop |
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Is it a track or a river ? |
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First view of Mackinnon Pass |
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Only five more bridges to go |
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Spooky |
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OK, who's going for a glacial swim? |
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"Not me!" |
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Water fall refreshments |
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Hypothermia here we come |
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Last look back |
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Made it, where the hell are we? |