Routeburn Track Fiordland National Park

March 15, 2017 — Day 2

My first sleep in my fancy lightweight bag/blanket combo was okay.  Actually, there never would have been much chance of being cold with so many bodies around.

On the deck outside are a lot of squawking sounds:

The first kea I have seen

Getting up early has its advantages

For breakfast Dave has prepared some Oatsoup — that's oatmeal with too much water in it; but it tastes just fine.  Without further delay we are on our way.  This time my walking stick is ready.

Routeburn Falls in the early morning

Where we just came from

Those rays aren't blessings from heaven; they're the result of not having a sunshade for the camera.

More stairs up toward Harris Saddle

Harris Lake is exquisite

Walkers behind, excitement ahead

This is why I go hiking

The woman who just passed us has a hat labeled "High School Musical".  When I asked her about it last night, she said that she simply liked the design of the hat but had never attended high school.

Around the corner is new scenery

At Harris Saddle there are 'Us & Them' shelters — one for Us trampers, and one for Them richies who have opted for the Guided Hike option.  Inside that building can be seen various juices and other goodies awaiting today's contingent.

Harris Saddle Shelter

One option here is to stash our packs and take the side trip up Conical Hill for some better views.  Dave remembers having done that four years ago, then wondering why; in any case, I have enough on my plate already.  As I guessed, this trail has been non-stop rough all the way.  Having to watch every step carefully takes a lot of the fun out of any walk.

I filter some water at this time, because my bottle is nearly empty

It should be mostly downhill now, but will it be?

New views to the west

The trail traverses that slope

Somewhere in here, a hiker asks out of the blue, "What's the capital of Egypt?"  Dave answers, "Cairo".  Then the man asks, "Would you also know the capital of Cambodia?"  Dave answers, "Phnom Penh".  That raises the man's eyebrow as he continues by.

There is very little easy walking

The Myrtle Spurge look downright futuristic
Stoat traps line the trail

I love tarns

We can see all the way to the coast

After a lengthy slog on a trail that seems somewhat out of place up here on the hillside, our destination finally comes into view:

The Lake MacKenzie Hut is 900 feet below

Enjoying the summit

Lake MacKenzie

It takes us more than an hour and a half to get down there, but eventually we do.  That was one difficult trek, for me at least.

Views from the hut grounds

This time, the bunkroom is upstairs and is configured differently.  Once again we have arrived early enough to grab some actual bunk beds, and this time Dave opts for the upper one.

Later arrivals get to line up all in a row

Some folk talk about going for a swim, and the idea appeals because it is pretty warm here now; but the flies are out and no one would want to see my red undies anyway.

That woman carries an umbrella everywhere

Get a hat, lady!

⇔

Tonight I opt to have no dinner; in fact, I have been somewhat off my feed since this trip began.  I watch Dave prepare the dehydrated meal of spicy thai chicken a la something, which is a pretty simple process: boil water, pour into bag, wait at least ten minutes.  We have a couple of packets of coffee and some cocoa as well.

Inexplicably, Ranger Clive will not be talking to us tonight; so by 8:30 we might as well turn in.