15. Otago Video

Team Tasty Fight The Hangover

Team Tasty Fight The Hangover

NickyEveryone’s looking pretty healthy considering! Today the Tasty Trekkers, Landey, Anders, and DM are heading off the Glendu Bay and to the start of the next track section: Wanaka to Queenstown. We thought we’d give them a head start as we’re so damn fast! Haha. No not really ;) We’ve got a mountain of blogging to do so we’re using it as an excuse to stay in Wanaka today and bus it to the Trail Head tomorrow. “Cheaters!!” :D We’ll see if we can catch ’em at the next hut.

Nicky Climbing Through Beautiful Beech Forest

Nicky Climbing Through Beautiful Beech Forest

Nicky Levitating Up Fern Burn

Climbing up Fern Burn Creek

NickyCookie pointed out that, if you look at this image from far back, I look like I’m levitating – ha! And I was of course. Just one of the skills you pick up if you’re in the mountains for long enough. You know how it is.

Nicky Approaching Fern Burn Hut

Nicky Approaching Fern Burn Hut

NickyThe first hut on Shania Twain’s cattle station! But the big question, will she be home? We were pretty sure the Tasty Trekkers would have stayed here last night so they would be far ahead by lunchtime. But i checked the hut book diligently any hoo for clues… I am addicted to hut book stalking!! :D

Tengu’s Teddy Has Gone Mental!

Tengu's Teddy Has Gone Mental!

NickyO.M.G. Well, you know I love a good rummage in a hut book, see who’s been through. How many days ahead they are, see if we’ve made up time. What’s the gossip. All that. But the book in Fern Burn was a never-before-seen bumper edition. Aside from hello’s from Wendy, (Twisel), Andrew (Richmond Alpine Range), Alex & Shalane aka “The Girls”, and the Tasties of course – The main event… An unmissable transmission from the mysterious Possi-man. Being held captive against his will, by evil ginger – The Tengu ! Oh Noes! :-O

It was, a cry for help. This possum has been tied to the back of The Tengu’s backpack for months. Trussed up like a chicken. Helpless. Only when he is dumped onto a table top, and The Tengu, distracted by food, can his little claws reach out to scratch a hurried SOS message onto whatever surface he can find. He’s desperate. You can tell by the tone of his scribblings. That, and the thing about rhinos (???). The poor little possum has gone delusional in the heat. I hope he’s managed to gnaw his way out if his bonds. If not, he’ll be wishing he’d taken a gob full of 1080 cyanide when he had the chance. Poor ol’ bugger.

Kilted one. If you are reading this. FREE POSSI-MAN! You dirty possum burglar! 

I don’t know, but maybe Tengu’s been in the mountains too long ;) … Ha! Me too, probably…

Jack Halls Saddle (1275m)

Cookie Approaching Jack Halls Saddle (1275m)

Nicky & Knuckle Peak

Nicky & Knuckle Mountain

Cookie Descending Furrowed Ridge from Saddle

Cookie Descending the Ridge from Saddle

NickyWoa! It’s getting breezy up here. We’re heading for Highland Creek Hut today. We figure if we can catch up with the Tasty Trekkers there’s safety in numbers. These hills are riddled with crazy people! ;)

Looking Across Motatapu Valley to Snow-Topped Peaks

Cookie & Nicky Walking Ridge

NickyThere was some heavy ups and downs on this section. Nothing too full-on, but there was some sweat to be spent for sure. Tufty snow grass all the way, and curving up and around ridges and gullies in a maze-like fashion until the hut suddenly popped into view. Phew! Starvin’ I is :)