Fiordland National Park
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Kepler Track Fiordland National Park |
March 21, 2017 — Day 4
Today's mission is simply to get to the nearest bus stop,
which will save Dave and me several hours of redundant flat
walking. Although we have tickets for the 3-o'clock
shuttle, we can utilize the 10 a.m. bus if we can make
it there in two hours; so off we go after rising pretty early.
Sometimes this bog is 20 feet underwater
A scenic detour to a lake that has no inlet
Just another swinging bridge
Horrors. As usual, the trail signs have understated the required trekking time. My camera's clock says that it is nearing the deadline, and the trail's end is not in sight. Dave actually begins running a bit and I follow suit, finally reaching a long bridge across the big river to the trailhead parking lot.
Several others awaiting a bus, seated at a picnic table, invite Dave and me for a cup of tea. Within about five minutes the Tracknet Shuttle shows up, so all is well.
It's tea-time with other bus riders
In our rush to greet the bus, Dave leaves his eyeglasses on
the table; but one of the picnicking party brings them to him.
We are back at the hostel before 11 a.m..
Our route: counter-clockwise from Control Gates
§: Well, Dave and I proved equal to the Kepler challenge.
The dreaded first-day ascent was a lot easier than some of the
other trails on these tramps. The views and sunsets at the
Luxmore Hut were to die for, and the vaunted ridge walk provided
outstanding views and a top-of-the-world feeling.
Days 3-4, however, proved disappointing, being 16 miles of just "get me back" trail with a hut in between.
Overall:
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Solitude |  |
