Last 2 days

I have returned to Auckland after staying another week with my first WWOOf hosts, Brent and Sue. It was good to see them again and had another great time helping them. Learned how to operate a tractor and the flowers were amazing. Also went to the Karangaheki gorge for a hike Saturday which was followed by a swim in the river and a nap in the grass.
Only two days remaining before I start my return trip so this will probably be my last entry, I hope it hasn't been to dull reading about my trip. Looking forward to the return, I am tired of living out of my backpack and in hostels.

Nelson

I have returned to Nelson after finishing my tour of the South Island. Over the last 5 days I hiked the Heaphy track which is one of New Zealands Great Walks. This was an amazing walk that starts with a day of walking along the beach then takes you up into the mountains. The track goes through a multitude of different ecosystems and terrain. Also the geology is unbelievable, you start by walking through granites then fossiliferous limestone then there is a section of coal, more granite followed by what appeared to be some sort of metamorphosed limestone and still more granite. also there are numerous caves along the track. The only downside is that because it is a great walk the track is a little to populated.
The first two days were sunny and wonderful but after midday of the third the rain started and continued for the next 3 days which was ok but still annoying.
Tomorrow I am heading to Wellington to start my return North before returning home.

Christchurch

So much has happened since I last wrote. I left Queenstown and went to Wanaka for a few days, where I met a guy I traveled with till the new year. Tony and I did a Day hike in Wanaka then started traveling up the coaset. We stayed a nights in both Fox Glacier and Franz Joseph. In Fox we participated in the Fox glacier day walk which was great. Were able to see holes and an ice cave. Also found somegreat rocks, schist with beautiful phenocrysts and other glaciated rocks. After leaving Franz Joseph we went to Hokitika for New Years. Hokitika is a small town on the coast with lots of grreenstone gallerys. I stayed here for a few days. Spent the time wandering around the beach, making a greenstone piece at one of the shops, collecting jadeite and nephrite, and dancing in the rain. Left Hokitika with a Swiss girl I met at the hostel to visit the Pancake rocks and get dropped off in Arthurs Pass. The Pancake rocks were very unusual but amazing at the same time. stacks of horizontal limestone rocks.
Spent a few days in Arthurs Pass where I did a short backpacking trip. Was also very lucky as there was a two day window of good weather and I happened to be there during that time. It was a short trek but well worth it. had a few river crossings which resulted in the boots being soaked through but the area was amazing. After leaving arthurs pass I came to Christchurch where I have been for the last few days.
Christchurch is a nice city but it gets old after a few days. I have been wandering around the city like usual and have also been visiting some of the numerous museums, the botanic gardens, and geocaching. The gardens are lovely with an amazing flower/rose garden. The geocahing has been fun as it has been so long since I have done any.
I leave Sunday to either Hanmer Springs or Greymouth. I find it hard to believe that in less than a month I will be home.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas all. I am spending the holiday in Queenstown at a hostel. Several of the other people and I made a sort of potluck for dinner which was nice. Since leaving Te Anau with Shunit we traveled to Dunedin through the southern most route, through Invercargill and the Catlins. Shunit is the Israeli girl that I met on the Milford. We stayed at this hostel in Owaka that was an old hospital. While this was a little creepy it was really pretty cool, several of the beds were old hospital beds. After leaving Owaka we went to Dunedin where we stayed a few days. Dunedin is an interesting city. It was designed with a similar layout to Edinbourgh and has the worlds steepest street. Also visited the Speights Brewery and took the tour. It is one of the few gravity brewery's left in the world. All this means is that the ingredents start at the top of the building and the beer comes out at the bottom.
After leaving Dunedin we came to Queenstown for the night and left for the Rees-Dart track. This track is a 4-5day backpacking trip north of Queenstown sort of near the Routeburn. This track is also not a great walk which makes it a little less populated and more difficult. It was amazing. Hiking through bogs and wading rivers it was incredible. On the second day it was raining lightly and when crossing the Rees saddle it was snowing. It was so beautiful. Day three we did a side trip up to the Cascade Saddle. This day trip takes you by 2 hanging glaciers, by the Dart Glacier, and up to the saddle. Because of the recent snow we were postholing it through knee deep snow in some areas but just as you reach the crest you are rewarded with the most spectacular view. I think it is one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen and the Warden at the hut said it is probably one of the best alpine views you can get without crampons and special equipment.
I think what makes it so amazing is that the mountains are schist so you hike up the gradually sloping side and the saddle is at the area where the jagged edge forms cliffs. The world drops away into a lush glacial valley surrounded by snow capped peaks. There are waterfalls hundreds of feet below fed by the snow melt. It makes one glad to be alive to be standing on the edge of the cliff high above the floor breathing in the beauty.
In my enjoyment I forgot to reapply my sunscreen and wound up with a sunburn. I am still peeling.:)
After leaving the hut we walked 2 days out along the Dart river and returned to Queenstown. Went to dinner with Shunit and Johan (a Dutch guy we met on the trail) when we got back and then bar hopping. Was a great way to end a trek, fun people and to much to drink.
That brings me to where I am today. Tomorrow I am planning on doing a day hike just out side of town then on the 27th to Wanaka.

Leaving Te Anau

I have just finished the Milford Track. It was so amazing it is easy to see why it in such a famous walk. The region is so green and there is so much H2O. You walk through a wetland ecosystem to an alpine down through bush to the sound. Going over the McKinnin Pass you see how geography affects the plant diversity and environment. Also the geology was amazing hiking through various types of granites. On the first night the hut warrden gave a great nature walk talking about the various plants and some of the areas geology and at night showed us several glow worm colonies. Its pretty cool as they look like suspended pin pricks of blue light.

The only downside is the number of sand flies in the area. These little insects are just as irritating as mosquitoes but the bite actually hurts a little more. Was the first time I had to use bug repellent since I have been here. Everyone talks of the rain and how wet it is but we were blessed with 4 splendid days, 3.5 of sun and half of a light drizzle. Aparently last week people had to wade through meter deep water in some areas of the track, thankfully I barely got my boots muddy. The huts are very comfortable with gas cookers and bunk beds with matresses, so it really isnt roughing it.

There is also the option of doing the walk through a guided walk company which is quiet a bit more expensive but all you have to carry with you is a day pack and they provide everything for you.

It is also great how regulated it is so the trail isnt inundated by people and you get to know the group you are with pretty well. I was able to meet loads of people from OZ, Denmark, and other regions. Also became hiking buddies with a couple of women one of which is from Mexico and the other from Israel. Everyone was very friendly which made for a great experience.
Tomorrow I plan on heading to Duneden then working toward Stewart Island.

Te Anau

After leaving Nelson I joined a girl from Germany and one from Scotland to walk the Abel Tasman track. We did the walk in 3 days and while the Tongararo northern circut was nice I enjoyued this walk a bit more, my bag was lighter, I had great company, and the weather was nicer. The water was amazing having hues of light blue and greens. We were very lucky as the weather cleared the day before leaving to go. Unfortunately some of the trail had been damaged by the storm but it was passable. After finishing the Track we returned to Nelson where I met up with my WWOOF hosts.
My hosts lived in Motueka and had 5 goats that I milked in the mornings, a dog and cat. Red is a blacksmith so I was able to learn about using a forge and make a few things. I was also able to make cheese with the goat milk with Sarah. In addition to these projects I helped with the gardening. Had a great time here but had to move on.
I am now in Te Anau where I will leave tomorrow for the Milford Track. It is raining here today but the weather is supposed to clear tomorrow.

Nelson area

Abel Tasman was amazing. The water was an amazing color, the bush was spactular, and the hike was wonderful. there was a number of crossings requiring wading the river and the sand flies were irritating. It was also nice to have some company on the track.
I have made it to my next WWOOfing host near nelson. This place is great this morning I got to milk 2 goats, help Sarah make cheese with the milk and in the afternoon Red started showing me some blacksmithing. Tomorrow I finish the project I started today.
I have also been lucky enough to catch a free spot on the Milford Track. I start the 9th. I'm really excited but it means that I will have to go from Nelson to Te Anau in 2 days. Still have a number of supplies to get before going.