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Published: January 5th 2006
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Start of the Tramp
from left to right: David (I know him from my student group at church), Mike and Tom (Uni) and me. Philipp is taking the picture Pulling together a group When I went dancing with a couple of friends I met one of the guys I am working with (Mike). While chatting away we both discovered, that we would like to do a tramp. Since Mike assured me, that he wasn't fit at all and had never done a tramp before I thought, that he would be a great tramping partner. So we organized a couple people that wanted to come with us: Dave (church), Tom (Uni), Phil (Mikes friend), and organized everything. During that time Mike told me: "I got just home from jogging up a hill for 3 hours, and now I am a little bit tired." So I was kind of shocked that I want to go hiking with guys that are so fit. Didn't he say, that he wasn't fit at all? But it was too late to back out of the tramping trip (and anyway, everyone that knows me should now, that there is NO WAY, that I would have canceled the trip :-)
The adventure can begin Early in the morning Tom and the other guys (as you may have noticed I couldn't get
Adjustment
Tom dragged me more than adjusting my backpack... one girl to come with us!) picked me up. It wasn't early enough to sneak out of the house without having Malcom tell me to be careful... He plays the role of a considerate father very well! Very cute!
So we made our way to Fiordland, had a little break on a playground where we rode a carousel (Doesn't the bible tell us to be like the children?) and finally got to our starting point - Lake Monowai.
The first day We parked our bus and started our hike, walking into the bush where a wall of hot and sweltering air welcomed us. I didn't feel to good anyway so this was just an aweful start for me, I had no idea how I was supposed to go on for 7 hours being already exhausted and tired at the beginning of the track. But no complaining, just one step after another... The first part of the track was pretty easy, the track went a little bit uphill, but it wasn't too bad (even though I was already puffing like a steam engine). But this gentle path didn't last for long, soon we had to climb up
and down several hills, and by saying climbing I mean it. Often we had to figure out how to climb up best, without getting stuck with our backpacks or loosing our balance. The track lead us through swamps, we had to balance over trees to be able to cross rivers, jump, climb, ...
My condition was changing between fainting away to being alright, but I made it. The guys had a very cute way of looking after me, every once in a while there was a hand to help me climb up somewhere (even though it was easier to climb up by myself. The guys seemed to think, that I couldn't get up at some parts, because my legs were to short to take the same path they had taken. But obviously they had missed easier pathes where you need to take more but smaler steps... So I managed to find my own way just fine. But it was very cute how they tried to give me a hand without giving me the feeling that they thought that I couldn't do it)
During the whole time we had misty rain every once in a while that felt pretty good since
it cooled you down a bit. The nature around us was just beautiful, and it changed so often. We walked through heaps of moos, through woods that looked like enchanted places, big roots were everywhere, fern, fungi, little animals...
Sometimes it was really hard to find our path, because you couldn't see it anymore and the next orange marker couldn't be seen from the prior. I can't imagine what happens when it is raining or even worse, foggy! You have absolutely NO chance to find your way then!
We hiked pretty constantly through this wonderful country, not doing many stops since we were just soaked in sweat. As soon as one was having a break one cooled out and started freezing. Additionaly sandflys enjoy eating up people that don't move, so moving is a good idea to escape them.
After 7 hours we arrived at our little hut, fortunately I was doing pretty good, and I managed not to get a cold. So we made our beds, I snuggled myself into my sleeping bag and we started cooking (Yes, you can actually prepare food while lying in your sleeping bag :-) Can you believe it, we had such healthy food
(all guys!!!) Fresh carrots and mushrooms, tomatoes... So we made pasta and it tasted sooo good! After having done the dishes we played some carts and finally closed our eyes to get some rest.
Day 2: Over the next hill to see another lake The next morning turned out to be a wonderful one, we had great weather and everyone felt good (Including me, no cold...)
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Mama und Papa
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I have to write in English, papa said. A great tour, I´m surprised of your strength.Congratulation. Ellen. Continue to have nice journeys. Martin