Routeburn Track

(FYI- I got a little behind...see the Queenstown blog as well...did both today!)
Took us about a day to prepare for the 3 day Routeburn track. We "hired" a sleeping bag, hiking poles, and a pot...the rest we had. Then we got a locker for all the rest of our "stuff" (did meet one guy who carried it all...ugh) We arranged transport there and back. This picture is of "Mirror Lakes" a stop off on our bus ride to the Divide...a chance to stretch our legs. Not a bad rest stop!

Our first day of hiking was INCREDIBLE weather. We really lucked out. Warm and sunny....the views were amazing. I think we stopped every 10 feet to take another picture. We (apparently) did the hike "backwards" which suited us just fine...we ran into very few people.

Not sure a picture can even do it justice...but these are the type of views we had. Lot's of crystal clear (glacier water) waterfalls and rivers...and incredibly high mountains.

Can you find me in the picture? I think I was in heaven....taking a break on top of a boulder looking into turqouise waters. Really should have gone for a swim...but we had a ways to go still....

The trail....not an easy hike...but the views made it go fast. The walking poles were a life saver. Lot's of rocks and roots to trip over....

The one thing that did amaze us was the lack of wildlife...really only birds...oh, and a REALLY big earthworm. I thought Dean was going to put it in his pocket he was so excited! He was dreaming of the BIG fish he could catch with it.

This if the view from out first "hut". We ate our freeze dried chicken curry on a grassy bank of the lake, sipping Vodka Tangs and watching the sun go down. Other's were swimming.

Talk about luxury...you get a place with cold running water (drink at your own risk- we are still alive), gas cookers and a bunk house with mattresses and FLUSH toilets!

This is our hut. I will add one disclaimer...the bunk rooms...ugh....ours had four to a bunk. So the man who was running to the bathroom in his tighty whities (yes, there are 49 other people walking around) was MY bunkmate. Actually, he was very nice..held a light for me while I scrambled around in the dark. So then, picture your personal bunk house filled with about 25 people, and imagine the snoring, sleep apnea (at one point I wanted to yell "BREATH!"), farting....you get it.

The next day we woke up bright and early...who sleeps in with 25 bedmates..and headed on our longest hike...up to the saddle. It was supposed to rain...but we lucked out! Dry day...just high clouds. Good thing we took lot's of pictures on our sunny hike in! The clouds were a blessing...it was a long treeless hike.

This is the view from out second hut. Even though it wasn't "warm" out, we decided it was time for a bath. We found a private pool and took a dip. I thought Dean was going to have a heart attack when he dove underwater. It was FREEZING! However, it was so nice to be clean.

Today we hiked out in the pouring rain....good thing we were well prepared! Brooke- this photo is dedicated to you. When Brooke and I traveled through Costa Rica we had to cross a suspension bridge every night to get to our room. Brooke is not fond of heights, and I took great pleasure in bouncing up and down on the bridge, freaking her out! Today we crossed at least five of these....

We tried to capture the color of the water....it is so beautiful! Makes you want to go for a swim. Back to Queenstown for a Fergburger (thanks Bill! They are delicious....) hot shower and some serious laundry to be done.....