And so it begins: the track of doom, the bit I’ve been dreading since Bluff. Started well enough with an easy stroll along the lake to Gladstone ( just a large subdivision of Lake Hawea) then straight up on the Breast Hill track. The first section / quarter was fine if zigzaggy steep, through high …
Author Archives: sjackson72
Day 4 part 2 : Wanaka to Lake Hawea
Finally, an easy day! Up late (8) and oats /coffee in room, then out to purchase canvas gaiters for next section (I left mine at home and there’s many dire warnings of Spaniards/matagouri over the next few days), then popped into Patagonia for chocolate fix. Set off around 10am, right behind two other obvious TA …
Day 3 of part 2 – last bit of Motatapu (Highland Creek hut to Wanaka)
Another day of two halves : woken by pounding rain and a gale in first light, then it eased off, and when I looked out there was a dusting of fresh snow on the tops. Oooh!! Headed out in a few extra layers. More vert to begin with, up to Jack’s Saddle. Sun started to …
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Day 2 of part 2. Still on the Motatapu, Rose’s Hut to Highland Creek Hut
Short day : was aiming for Fern Burn Hut but by 1pm, after two big hills and constant buffering wind (plus intermittent cold drizzle) my legs threw a hissy fit at Highland Creek Hut and let me know they didn’t fancy another 1200m hill today. Legs eh?! As soon as I unpacked and had a …
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Day 1 of part 2 : Queenstown to Rose’s Hut (Motatapu track)
Up early and just around the road to where Elisabeth and Michael are staying, for a delicious free breakfast and a ride to Arrowtown. Felt very briefly guilty for not walking it but that passed as I munched on toast and honey.. The track out of Arrowtown is nice and easy to find, along the …
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Back to the trail…
Well I’m back. Or at least I’m back in Queenstown – haven’t set foot on a piece of dirt yet. Tomorrow is the start of three days on the Motatapu track across to Wanaka. (I’m wussing the walk to Arrowtown as a couple of lovely friends have offered a lift and I’ve cycled it before …
TA attempt #2: Queenstown to Twizel??
Okay, after over a week back home in Titirangi I am ready to climb the walls so rain or no rain, I’m heading back to the trail. A few changes though: 1. RAB bivvy bag and tarp, not tent. I only have one night where I’m expecting to camp and the bivvy is more storm-proof …
Retrospective
I’m now back in Auckland, having made the difficult decision to pull out of my trip early at Queenstown. I had to decide by 19th Dec if I was continuing as my partner had to post food parcels ahead before the last Xmas post that day. I also had hostel bookings that would charge if …
Day 12 : End of TA for now…
So this is it folks, I’m finished with the trail for this session. It’s been great (in parts) but the weather forecast for the rest of the week features gale force winds, more rain, and potentially snow on the higher parts. I packed for summer and there’s no way my single skin tent and two …
Day 11 : out to Kinloch
Back to civilisation!! Up late (been offered a lift by Kiwi Kirran who is NOT a rusher) and headed off down track 8.45. Not even raining! One of my hiking poles snapped almost immediately – I feel this is a definite sign that I should be stopping in Queenstown! Absolutely stunning trail down to car …
Only running the downhills... 