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Published: March 17th 2007
Routeburn First Day
Earland Falls - the waterfall we had to pass. We got absolutely soaking! After all the countless times of good weather it appeared that my luck was finally running out when starting the routeburn. Yes we took on yet another tramp. the Routeburn is a great walk lasting 3 days but its fairly easy compared to the majority we've done as it is only around 37km however the walk involves lots of mountain passes and high altitude so can be difficult in bad weather. The walk began along the Milford Road and finished in a place called Glenorchy near Queenstown. Our first day was a fairly drizzly day. The clouds were really low in the sky which made it really hard to see any form of scenery at all. Th first day begins steeply climbing about 900metres in the space of 2hrs. Unfortunately we couldnt see much on the whole day as the cloud was very thick but the highlight of the day was passing earland Falls. Which was this huge waterfall that we had to pass through that absolutely drenched us it was great fun and probably more fun seeing it in the rain! We were set to camp the trip in my old worn out tent which we found out was
Routeburn First Day
Earland Falls - the waterfall we had to pass. We got absolutely soaking! on is last legs during the walk as it began to leak heavily on our first night and we woke up absolutely freezing! But at the same time it was weather we hadnt really seen before on a tramp and it was fun being in a new sort of survival still walk. lol.
The next day was cloudy once more as we continued up the mountain. Then after about an hour it began to snow! It was really cool to see New Zealand snowing (again strange as its their summer!) As we continued to climb the cloud began to clear.
We reached Harris Saddle and the clouds moved away, unavailing this amazing view! Mountains everywhere smothered with snow! It was beautiful!
We saw this great rainbow coming through the cloud with great views of the mountain peaks.
As we continued I managed ot persuade Rich to do this side trip up a place called Conical Hill which was a steep limb up to the top of this mountain peak. We climbed up this difficult path shuffling and clambering up rocks completely smothered in snow which was great but also made the journey up alot more trecherous. Then we reached
the peak and we were completely blown away! The clouds had almost completely cleared and we could see 360 degrees of mountains leading off to the distance! My particularly favourite view was the mountain peaks leading off to glenorchy! Ah this view was definately right up there with Gertude saddle my two favourite views Ive seen. Also it appared we were the only ones who had got a good view up there as everyone we spoke to said the weather was really bad so it made the view even more special as we were so lucky to get it!
As the day wore on the weather became really good infront but bad behind so lucky again maybe? The valley down had some pretty special views but th best views of the day and walk had definatly een from Conical hill!
We reached our camp site and it was probably the most senic campsite id ever stayed at it was at the bottom of this valley with the snow caped mountains in the distance. Ace!
he last day was a nice stroll through subalpine forests until we arrived at the end of the walk where we got a bus upto
Second Day
Harris Pass Queenstown before a long journey back to Te Anau. On the way back the views were amazing! We passed briefly through Glenorchy that I think is the most scenic town in New Zealand! The we passed through Queenstown where the weather had turned out to be brill! The views of Queenstown and its surroundings were great and we even came back to Te Anau watching an absolutely ace purple sunset over Milford sadly however I couldnt get a good picture of it.
Probably my most favourite walk in New Zealand.
so far ...
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