So I was off to the Kepler Track this weekend! Another one of New Zealand's "Great Walks" which basically consists of unbelievable views and several days of hiking or "tramping" as it is known throughout New Zealand.
The Kepler Track is a 69 km or about 43 mile circular path that walks through part of the Fiordland National Park in the South West of the South Island of New Zealand.
Once again listed as an "easy" tramping track, I want to murder the guy or girl who rates these things because I walked 43 MILES in 4 days and up and down 1500 meters or nearly 4000 FEET!! It was NOT easy! :) I thought the bones in my feet nearly broken and by the time we reached the car, almost every muscle in my lower body collapsed!
Basically, the entire area was carved by glaciers from the ice age carving through the mountains and forming the lakes and valleys. Lots of ferns and beech forest cover the area and then there is the Alpine section where you traverse across the top of the mountain for some amazing views. You'll see!
So Day 1 took us about 4.5 hours to complete. You start by walking along Lake Te Anau through mountain and forest beech and then you CLIMB for 2 hours passing through limestone and eventually climb out of the tree line and hike to Luxmore Hut for the evening. It was starting to get windy that day so by the time we reached the hut, in another 2 hours we were sitting amidst a snow storm! Glad we made it to the hut early and actually the snow made for AMAZING views the following day!
Walking out of the tree line
Track to Luxmore Hut
River through Mountains
Luxmore Hut (not a bad location!)
Headlamp heading to the caves!
On Day 2 we hiked from the Luxmore Hut to the Iris Burn Hut but not before climbing to the peak of Mt. Luxmore. We then followed the Forest Burn Saddle and ridge system for about 2 hours before then descending again to the Iris Burn shelter.
Luxmore Hut Morning After!
WOW!!
Te Anau Lake
Day 2 Track through Luxmore Mountain
Summit of Mount Luxmore
Alpine Ridge Trail!
Iris Burn Hut
Day 3 we hiked out of the Iris Burn Hut through the forest, pass a gorge and alongside a river before reaching our 3rd Hut, Moturau Hut, which sat lakeside to Lake Manapouri with yet more great views.
River Fun!
The Great Slip (1984) - Rainfall collapsed the mountain and formed this valley
River opening to Lake Manapouri
Moturau Hut
Enjoying my PhD on Lake Manapouri!
Lake Manapouri SunsetDay 4 ended by walking through beech forest and wetland to Rainbow Reach and finally out to the carpark (parking lot) :)
Rainbow Reach
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