Tramping New Zealand

DAY 18 - Kepler 4/4

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.

Our route: counter-clockwise from Control Gates

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..  Dave and I retrieve our luggage from the lockers, but must wait two hours for a room to be ready.  That doesn't matter at all, because I get to work on these pages now either way.

It's tea-time with other bus riders

Early tomorrow Dave and I will strike out on our last adventure, the Milford Track, which is rated by some as the finest hike in the world.  I hope it is.

The weather favors us once again, as it is forecast to be clear throughout reaching as high as 71 degrees on the fourth day.  This is great, although the rangers tell visitors about how beautiful it is when it rains.  Perhaps I can sell my new $30 pack cover before I leave.