Two jolly hikers we keep bumping into all over the country, are Michael and Elna. A constant source of hot tips, and pro route info, they’re ‘flip-floppin’ along the Te Araroa hiking sections at a time. Nice way to do it, especially if you get to go home for a shower.
Shit! We’ve just realised they live in Christchurch… They could still be on the trail today, but if they’d done a long day they might have made it home this morning (22nd). Hoping they are tucked up safe in a DOC hut instead… Crikey. It doesn’t bare thinking about… Guys if you read this, let us know you’re ok! We’re concerned about you.
We have friends coming out to join us for a couple of weeks soon, they arrive early next month and I wanted to make sure we have a good section lined up for them :) Elna & Michael have been hiking across the South Island this summer and have completed most of the route ahead, so I was checking with them about the ‘impressiveness’ of certain sections that might coincide with Ollie & Nico’s visit.
As I had suspected the route south of Arthurs Pass (where we’ll be when they arrive) doesn’t sound the best.. It’s far from the main range and involves plenty of complications – road walking, hitching or death defying river crossings.. They recommended the area around Queenstown (which is where they are flying into anyhow), so I’m currently looking at options of flip-flopping the Te Araroa for a bit or maybe hiring a car to do some classic NZ tramps off route instead of the Arthurs Pass to Twizel section. Might ultimately be a last minute decision based on weather, suggestions welcome from any Kiwis out there!
Hey guys,
Still following your awesome blog! If you do decide to do that, the Kepler Track near Queenstown in an absolutely awesome 3/4 day circular walk taking you up above the treeline, along spectacular mountain ridge lines overlooking the fiords and down through forests and lakes. Highly recommended!
Hope you’re both well and really am so glad you haven’t yet got to Christchurch…
Jane x