Having scouted this track from Kinloch to Harris Saddle in Feb 2009 I decided that this would be the inaugural hut to hut hike for the kids. We took the "non-Heersian'approach" and actually enjoyed the tramping, spending a total of 4 nights at 2 huts, which allowed for plenty of side adventures and card playing and r
eading in the cabins. On January 16 we caught the early Sunday flight from Auckland and arrived in Queenstown with time enough to rent a car, buy freeze-dried dinners and other sundries, and stop by the kiwi aviary.
This was our first sighting of the elusive kiwi along with the native owl, wood pigeons, white headed ducks, kea, and many more. Then we drove to Kinloch lodge to enjoy a gourmet dinner before heading out on the hike the next day. Again, in non-Heersian fashion (Heersay?) we took our time in the morning enjoying the lodge, then drove to the trail head and started hiking around 1 pm. The first hut (Routeburn Flats) was reached following a 6.5 km hike along river and through canopied forest. Several hanging bridges and water falls later we arrived in time to cool our feet in river and practiced skipping rocks before boiling water to re-hydrate dinner. Since it was the first night, we also brought in some smoked salmon and pita bread (and one strong beer). It was hard to spot Nikolas without a Harry Potter book in hand! We also left supplies for the 4th night since we would be coming back and staying at this hut again. The hut-warden was friendly grandma type from Devonport. She doted on the kids and told us where to leave our food for the return trip.
eading in the cabins. On January 16 we caught the early Sunday flight from Auckland and arrived in Queenstown with time enough to rent a car, buy freeze-dried dinners and other sundries, and stop by the kiwi aviary. 
This was our first sighting of the elusive kiwi along with the native owl, wood pigeons, white headed ducks, kea, and many more. Then we drove to Kinloch lodge to enjoy a gourmet dinner before heading out on the hike the next day. Again, in non-Heersian fashion (Heersay?) we took our time in the morning enjoying the lodge, then drove to the trail head and started hiking around 1 pm. The first hut (Routeburn Flats) was reached following a 6.5 km hike along river and through canopied forest. Several hanging bridges and water falls later we arrived in time to cool our feet in river and practiced skipping rocks before boiling water to re-hydrate dinner. Since it was the first night, we also brought in some smoked salmon and pita bread (and one strong beer). It was hard to spot Nikolas without a Harry Potter book in hand! We also left supplies for the 4th night since we would be coming back and staying at this hut again. The hut-warden was friendly grandma type from Devonport. She doted on the kids and told us where to leave our food for the return trip.
It sounds like the Britt kids had a very fantastic, if not exactly Heersian, trek. Grandpa (me) tried to follow wuit in the Colorado Rockies, where we scaled a peak at 13,200 feet on skis and then enjoyed the exhilaration of skiing its ridge back down.
ReplyDeleteOh the kids were so excited to hear about the ski trip and begged us to take them next time.
ReplyDeleteAlso, even though Dave *claims* this was a non-Heersian trip (well to be honest, it probably wasn't), the kids did their best to challenge themselves. Nikolas carried 5 books (against my suggestion, but I'm glad he did) and they also supplemented their packs with about 20 of their favorite rocks. They had a good time. :-)