After an early start by 7:30 we were on the road toward Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the world. As we pass through Queenstown we stop to meet Jon Imhof, owner of Serious Fun, and get packs and gear for the upcoming Routeburn Track. Then we head into a land that was carved, tumbled, and jumbled by grinding glaciers during the last ice age. We stopped in Kingston for a break and to pass Rich's house.  After a half hour of shopping in Te Anau we had lunch in a local park. The land became more vertical and wooded as we entered Fiordland National Park. In the afternoon, we did a short walk to the Chasm. At 3 p.m. we boarded our vessel for a cruise through Milford Sound - actually a fiord and considered by many to be one of the world’s great natural wonders. Then we reboarded our bus and headed back inland to the Te Anau Downs Lodge where we had dinner and stayed for the night. In the evening Rich briefed us and we packed for our next adventure. (Day total: estimate 0.5 mi.)

Earland Falls

After breakfast we were picked up by another bus that took us to the Divide to start the Routeburn Track with our guides, MJ, Hayden, and Jodie. For the next three days we hiked hut-to-hut across the Southern Alps along one of the most spectacular walks in the world. We stayed in private huts fully stocked with food, comfortable beds, flush toilets and even hot showers! During the day we hiked with only an overnight pack containing our clothes and other personal items. We started our hike climbing through dense beech forests along a well-graded trail, which winds above the treeline at Key Summit.  Many made the side trip to Key Summit (Estimate 1 mile). This was followed by a brief descent to Lake Howden. Then we climbed steadily upwards to magnificent Earland Falls for a rest stop.  Finally we descended to our hut at Lake MacKenzie. (Day total: estimate 9 mi.including Key Summit)

For day 2 on the Routeburn we leave the emerald waters of Lake MacKenzie and climb steadily up the zigzags to above the bushline (3,200-ft).  As we turn to cross the dramatic alpine terrain of the Hollyford Face the wind nearly blows us off the mountain.  It was a cool, windy day which got grayer and windier as we went on.  We had a late lunch at the shelter at Harris Saddle  Here there were some light showers.  Nevertheless, some made the strenuous side trip to Conical Hill. We descended from the Harris Saddle past Lake Harris and into an immense alpine basin and the Routeburn Falls Huts. Here we had a steak dinner with pancakes for dessert while rain drummed on the roof.  Dessert was an event. (Day total: 15 km = 9.4 mi.)

Harris Saddle and Conical Hill

It poured and was very windy through the night. After breakfast we donned our rain gear to protect us from the elements.  Although it was drizzling at first, just after we hit the track the rain stopped.  We descended steadily from the tiered cascades of Routeburn Falls to the alpine meadows of Routeburn Flat.  After a snack at the Flats hut we continued to descend along the river gorge and through beech forest.   Lunch was at a wide spot on the river. At the end of the Track we were met by a shuttle bus which took us to Glenorchy for drinks, widges (?), and a group photo. In the late afternoon, we drove back to Queenstown where we stayed at the Cranbury Court.  Our Routeburn guides hosted a dinner to celebrate our adventures. (Day total: 10 km  =  6.1 mi.)

On our optional activities day in Queenstown, everyone went their own way.   Many went shopping and wandered about town and the gardens. Most took the gondola for a view of the town and visited the Kiwi zoo. The final deluxe dinner was at the Wai at the Steamer Wharf.  We stayed again at the  Cranbury Court.