Eatwell Lookout

NickySeeing a sign with a time on it has become a bit of a challenge to us. “30mins? Pah! Be there and back in 15″ … It’s not always the case tho ;) But this time we charged up, and it felt good as we staggered to the top and collapsed in a sweaty red-faced heap on the bench. “See DOC, we can beat your silly times. Yeh”… we mumbled as we attempted to stand for some photos.

The “Magic Views” were all they were purported to be. No mushrooms needed…

Mad fact: We are closer to the North Pole than London right now. And we’re in the Southern hemisphere. Feels weird but it’s true ;)

A bit of a detour up to the Eatwell lookout was well worth it for the views and charming hand painted signage. We were thinking about adding a Cape Reinga and Bluff addition, but couldn’t find anything appropriate to fashion them out of.

Nicky & Cookie in front of Queen Charlotte Sound:

Thu 27th Jan
Permalink
   
0 comments
97

Picnic Table

NickyAny picnic table is an excuse for a break. That’s my motto. Why else are they there?
Bit of a minimalist picnic table this, ran out of wood to make the seat or what? Ok, we’ll just stand then..
Sat 29th Jan
Permalink
   
0 comments
99

Emerald Pools

From Havelock tarmac turned to gravel, to steep tree rooted path. Two hikers approached us. Micheal + Elna, two Te Araoa section hikers doing just the south island. We swapped tips and tales, and wishes of good luck, and on we went following the Pelorus river higher and higher brought the windy valley.

Beautiful emerald pools lined the river, hard to resist in the sizzling heat of the ozone-free scorching sun. We stopped and played in the river at a perfect picnic spot. Splashing in the ice cold water, and mucking about with the camera. Lunch: Brown bread, avocado, tomato, and S&V crisp butty, ( with a sprinkling of sandflies ). Unbelievably good. This is luxury trail food.

Finally packing up we realised the time. “Ah short day then ;)

We held out for a late lunch to reach Emerald Pools, well you’ve got to with a name like that eh? As it turned out, it was not much different than the other pools downstream but did have a fire pit and picnic bench. It’s icy green depths did not disappoint though.

After larking about in the water for too long we realised our plan of getting to Middy Hut today wasn’t going to happen.. So we set or sights on Captains Creek hut for the evening instead.

Wed 2nd Feb
Permalink
   
4 comments
103

Captains Creek

Jump Cookie jump! … Wait, hang on, how do I get across? :)
Apparently this un-bridged crossing of Captains Creek can be a bugger at times, but it hasn’t rained for ages so it was an easy job crossing this morning.
Thu 3rd Feb
Permalink
  
0 comments
104

Pelorus Swing Bridges

High over the turquoise river :) It can get pretty bouncy on there! Good fun.
Pleasant walk in the morning to Middy Hut for elevensies, plus our first taste of the many wire swing bridges across the Pelorus River.
Thu 3rd Feb
Permalink
   
0 comments
104

Mt. Rintoul in the Background

Behind me is where we’re going today, our route isn’t the most direct though, the ridge we’re following curves around in a horseshoe shape, it’s virtually all above the bush line.

Sun 6th Feb
Permalink
   
0 comments
107

Over the top of Old Man

We’ve turned the corner of the horseshoe now and are now lined up straight with Rintoul dead ahead. We were making great progress on the big rounded ridge tops in the morning, felt good to be stretching our legs after slow progress along the river. Although the section of ridge between Old Man Peak and Old Man Hut was is a bit slower progress.

Sun 6th Feb
Permalink
   
0 comments
107

Nicky & Cookie on Rintoul Summit

I couldn’t look down. I didn’t want to gaze around. The anxiety and adrenaline was threatening to overwhelm me. I knew I was up here to appreciate the views. But looking at those rows of giant peaks in the distance just made me want to vomit. What the fuck was I doing up here?

I stared out at the surrounding ranges. Trying to take a mental picture to appreciate with hindsight later. Eyes wide ( with horror really! ) at the situation I’d gotten myself into. There wasn’t the relief and satisfaction I’d imagined getting to the top. Just an overwhelming sense of ‘anticipation’ ( read: ‘expectation of impending panic’ ) about getting down the other side. Making it between the two Rintoul peaks was one thing, but apparently the worst was yet to come? Or so said the trail notes…

Fantastic views up here and we were blessed with perfect weather for it :) There’s certainly A LOT of mountains in the South Island, row after row of spikey mountain ridges disappearing into the distance.

Wished we could of stayed here longer, but after a day of stopping every 5 min to film or take pictures it was getting late. 6pm to be precise, we’d been on the go for nearly 11 hours already and still had to get down yet!

Sun 6th Feb
Permalink
    
1 comment
107

Cookie descending Rintoul Ridge

Don’t tell Nicky, but those mountains behind me are where we’re going next and they look even more impressive. I’m liking the South Island :)

Sun 6th Feb
Permalink
   
0 comments
107

Climbing Towards Mt. Ellis

Tue 8th Feb
Permalink
  
0 comments
109