The Routeburne Track: Three days on the trail

Agra is believedsite of an ancient Hindu Kingdom, but the city
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January 4, 2005:
In the am, we got our stuff together and met up with H&R to the start of the hike. The first day of the Routeburn track was no problem. It meandered along slowly and slightly up. THe first day was only about two hours.. but the packs were full and very heavy. We got to the campsite and found a little spot for our tents. That is when Josh and I discovered that our tent was just too small for two people. I can't believe that it was considered a two person tent... we felt as though we were going to suffocate inside the tent. We were changing clothes in there and one person had to lie completely still and out of the way, or else it was impossible. For dinner, we had these dehydrated camping meals that you are supposed to just add water and out magically pops chicken a l'orange. It didn't happen. THe food wasn't good and made me feel quite ill. So I decided... Ill just let Josh eat all the food and Ill stick to granola bars. Not a healthy decision either as I was basically on a sugar high the whole time.

Above: Yet another waterfall along the Routeburne Track.

Right: Rachel on a swingy bridge along the track.

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Journal Continued:
The second day of the hike was long and it was uphill almost the entire way. We had about 4 hours of uphill... nonstop to the top of the mountain peak up over the valley where we had been the night before -- Routeburn flat which had this beautiful river with waves of grass blowing in the wind -- particularly fabulous in the warm evening sun. The only unattractive thing about the site was the reindeer leg that we found just next to the river. How it got there, who knows. Anyway, up and up we climbed. Each step our packs felt heavier. My pack side straps started digging into my hips. I started thinking... why am i doing this? I didn't find an answer until I looked out over the expanse below and thought... this is why I do this. I just would like it more if I had a sherpa.

Journal Continued:
We got to the saddle hut and had a nice little break for lunch before we headed down into Mackenzie Huts campsite for the second night. We had our system down at that point and Josh and I worked together to get the food on, the tent set up and the beds made. The Mackenzie site was also in a low valley on the other side of the mountain with a beautiful glacier lake reflecting the night sky with amazing boulders tossed about like ornamental sculptures in the center. Night time was a time for sleepy conversations and cuddling by the fire. In the mornign, I made breakfast and we were packed and ready even before Hanna and Rob were finished. That is no easy feat as they are the seasoned campers. Still Josh and I had our system together by that time.

Above: More waterfalls. There isn't a shortage of water in this part of the country.

Right: Josh on the trail, amazing mountains in the background.

Below: Josh and Rachel. As usual, Hanna & Rob are miles ahead already.

Journal Continued:
Day three of the hike was much easier. It was about an hour uphill and then an hour down followed by lunch at a little spot in a valley. After that, we had another 45 minutes straight uphill until we hit the long descent to our final destination. Then there was another 2 hours of down, down, down. By then, I had barn fever. I was ready to get back.

Journal Continued:
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Left: icecream on the shores of the lake in Queenstown. Yummy!

Below: Drinks Anyone?

Journal Continued:
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Journal Continued:
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Above: Fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks. It is New Year's Eve after all.

Left: The road to the Routeburn Track, around the lake. Beautiful.

Below: Josh and Rachel on the way to the Routeburne track.

Journal Continued:
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Above: A glacial lake at the foot of a mountain. The water is crystal clear and the clouds are coming in.

Left: Rachel, heading towards campsite 2, near the glacial lake at the foot of the mountains.

Journal Continued:
By the time we got back to the end of the road where the bus was to pick us up... I was really ready to shower, eat real food. But the bus ride was another 4 hours of driving time... and then I needed to take Rob to their car in Glenarchy which was another 1.5hrs after the bus ride. I was tired, dirty, and hungry for some real food. So I was cranky. But we had a nice dinner all of us together and soothed everything over with some wine. Our dinner options weren't aplenty as we arrived so late that most dinner places weren't serving anymore so we ate at the same Thai place that Josh and I ate on the first night which also made me feel a little sickly. Such is life. Heck, I was just pleased that it was food and it was in front of me and I didn't have to make it out of a predeydrated state. Camping food sucks.

Above: waterworks, waterworks, waterworks.

Left: Josh and Rachel. Tired, hungry and ready for a rest in Queenstown.

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