NZ 2009 - The Routeburn Track

The Routeburn Track is one of NZ's Great Walks. We were transported from Queenstown to the Divide where the walk begins. It turned out to be a demanding walk but probably the best we have ever done. It is steadily up for ages before we do an extra climb to Key Summit. The views were amazing as it was a perfect day. Key Summit enables you to look down 3 major valleys in this spectacular wilderness area.. On to the Ehrland Falls which are 80m high, plunging into a wonderful bathing pool - of nearly ice cold water! We descended to Lake Mackenzie Hut where we spent a comfortable evening with a fine meal. The lake gives mirror like views of the mountains.
Day 2 begins with a climb up through trees festooned with moss, giving everthing a deep green colour. Very magical. We climb above the tree line and on this cloudy day we are soon above the clouds in the valley with dramatic views of mountains as the clouds come and go across them. We had a tough scramble up to a look out but the views were not great. However this was a good day because usually it is raining!. We lunched at the Harris saddle and had some of our most exposed walking - a track maybe 2 feet wide with a sheer drop on one side. It is amazing how they build these walks.
The second night was in Routeburn Falls Lodge which is about 300m above the Routeburn Valley which we will walk on the last day. The group has been so coherent and got even more lively with games and us having to catch our desert of pancakes!
Day 3 is the descent into the valley, back amongst the trees to a lovely lunch/swimming place. We follow the river and look down on it through trees with a sheer mountain rising up alongside - such a beautiful location and another glorious day.
As we are driven away we look back at enormous mountains and marvel that we have walked through such terrain.
Finally a sumptuous celebration dinner and we say good bye to 3 marvellour guides and probably the best group we have walked with.