Today was the day for odds & ends. Found some washing powder, washed what I could and hung it up on the line to dry. In addition to my own seven washing pegs, I used another seven that I found on the clothesline. Think that a total of around twenty should suffice in future. Then washed the boots and put them up as well. Continue reading
Marian Falls
Was on the road a little after 9:00 and found the beginning of the route just after 10:00. Parked the car at Smithys Creek campsite, applied sufficient DEET, and started off hopefully down the road. Crossing the river was the least part of the problem – it was only knee-deep, but very cold. The real problem was hiking up the creek – small rocks and pebbly beaches giving rise to boulders and becoming steeper the further up the mountain I proceeded. After about an hour of this I decided to call it a day, as there was no way I was going to repeat this with a full pack and possibly less time. At least the boots got a good wash. This would probably only be a good idea with someone who had done it before and knew which turn to take at the top of the mountain, although you will still have to be very desperate to try it. Continue reading
Was ready to go just after 9:00 but first had to fill in a census form. Then it was pretty much directly out to Te Anau, with a stop for petrol in Frankton, and a short break along the way. Spotted the Kingston Flyer at one of the stations. Continue reading
Was off to the DoC at around 10:00 this morning to see what I could do in or around Mt Aspiring. Unfortunately there had been an issue with security at the end of the road carpark, and there being no surveillance, my plans for doing the Rob Roy at least were quashed. Decided I would go down to the end of the road anyway, if not to walk, then to be in the company of the mountains. I had been warned that the road was a little “juddery”. Turned out it was completely shot to bits, so not much chance of risking the car for those 30 kms. Went back to the Rocky Mountain/Lake Diamond/Lake Wanaka views car park and marched up the hill from there. Continue reading
Was up bright and early and down into town to solve the “hot shoe/quick release” problem. The Kodak place did have one, but not the right size. Dick Smith had an ultra light tripod which automatically unfolds (0.6 kg) but was nearly $60 so I opted for the cheapest one from the Warehouse. Not bad, has two spirit levels and is quite tall so that I can stand, rather than stoop, crouch or squat, while using it. Continue reading
The “little party” that the host mentioned in passing on checking in yesterday was a major eardrum-bursting disco that lasted until about 3:00 in the morning. Which was not impressive. Can’t understand how hosts let this thing go on and then shrug their shoulders afterwards. Anyway there was no one at the reception to buy back their key, so that key got surreptitiously lost. Continue reading
The first signs of dawn activity were at about 7:00, which was early enough. I got all the rest of my things together and was ready to go by 8:30. Robin and Shirley were off to their carpark and then to the Heaphy (70 L packs, they must have been carrying everything), and as Will & Kelly were going over Gibbs Hill, I asked them to keep an eye out for my tripod adapter. Then all set to work on their tracks. Continue reading
Alarms went off on the dot of 6:00 and as I had gotten some sleep due to the relative paucity of snorers I was up fairly soon after the first ones.
Awaroa Crossing in the early morning
The estuary was fairly clear of water and a number of people were already on their way across by the time I was ready to go, including some people going down the estuary to look for an easier passage (rather than up which would have been more promising). Continue reading
Was awoken by some giggle girls at around 6:30 who were throwing billies around. Had my breakfast, washed and was keeping an eye on the lagoon to see when water might be entering it. A girl asked to use my gas can which I gave her; then I discovered an abandoned one on one of the aluminium benches, which we swapped when she returned mine. Packed up all my stuff except the camera and then headed across the still dry lagoon for today’s shoot. Continue reading
