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Tramping New Zealand |
DAY 4 - Fern Burn
As near I can tell, a 'burn' is an old Scottish term for a small or intermittent creek. That sounds about right, because most of this area has Scottish origins. A ask the hostel clerk about it, but he has to look it up himself. He considers this a good question, though, because there are lots of burns around here.
The Hiking-Journal-Creation Room
The Internet-uploading headquarters at the Big Fig
Because the weather report had projected a colder day, Dave and I have frittered the morning away. Finally, at noon we head over to the Park Headquarters for some ideas; and the ranger suggests a trail that's just a few miles out of town. What she didn't bother to mention was the following, which I later found on a web page:
Ordinarily, those daunting specs would not put us off; but in light of the lateness of our start, we surely would have opted for something else.
On the trail at 1 p.m.
The first attraction is a salt lick, for the sheep
I see a trail up on the hillside
Those tall plants are interesting
Those short sheep are interested
Oh, boy!
Presently we plunge into a deep forest in the canyon beside the creek.
Cool and refreshing
Not so refreshing
In fact, this up-and-down stuff becomes the norm, with tree roots being utilized by hand and foot alike in places.
At least we won't have to get wet
In places, this is just about the steepest trail in my experience. Coming down will not be easy, especially through the muddy sections that we just negotiated.
Many rest stops are required
Eventually, the canyon opens up. Perhaps the worst is over? Nope. The upgrade remains relentless. The the border of the Stack Conservation area, Dave and I take stock. Although we have been on the trail for just two hours, we both are tired; in particular, my legs are a bit rubbery.
Taking stock
After traveling just a couple hundred yards farther, I stop while Dave scouts ahead a bit. We decide not to continue on to the hut, which was just a tentative destination anyway. The last thing we would need here is for one of us to stumble and fall due to fatigue, so we opt to start back.
End of the line
The view in the other direction
Off to the right
The canyon awaits us
Another hiker approaches, followed ultimately by seven more. Their group is headed for Fern Hut and beyond.
Slipping and sliding through the mud pits
Care, perseverance, and many stops for aching legs pay off; for eventually we exit the canyon and the conservation area.
This keeps the sheep in place
Scurrying ahead of us on the trail
Dave chases them away
Beautiful
They're too dumb to run anywhere but down the trail
Not a natural rock formation lining the creek
The last long slog is taken in lolly-gag mode; for this has been a fairly tiring outing.
Almost there
§: Well, as indicated, we got more than we had
bargained for. One goes here for the exercise, not for
the scenery; but preparatory exercise is just what Dave and I
need right now.
