The last year and a half has been a blur. I've spent long hours in the office planning, writing, coordinating intervention development, and conducting a pilot study to test that intervention. I'm so proud of the work I've done and I'm looking forward to getting some publications out there to share the results. Life hasn't been all work and no play, though. Once in a while I take time to get outdoors for a breath of fresh air and a break from the thesis action.
In February, I lead five students from the University of Otago up the Rees valley in an attempt to hike up to Kea Basin. The weather didn't cooperate though and the rain dampened everyone's enthusiasm to spend a day walking on a boggy track just to see views of fog and mist.
One thing is for sure, a good ol' Tim Tam Slam can perk up the soggiest tramper! At the base of Lennox Falls, I boiled water for coffee and tea and taught everyone the proper technique for turning a chocolate biscuit into a straw.
Rest stop in Rees valley
We skipped the hike up to Kea Basin and made our way back to the Sylvan campsite instead. I served up awesome roasted red pepper and black bean tacos, cantaloupe slices, a vegan Mexican chocolate cake, and home brewed beer. My group was pretty happy with that!
On Sunday, I joined a different group from the Otago University Tramping Club to run the entire Routeburn Track (32km/19.9 mi long). I freaking LOVE this track!!
Routeburn Valley
I took seven hours to finish the run (the first guy to reach the car finished in just under four hours). But, why on earth would I go any faster than I absolutely had to? Look at the view!
Lake Harris
Once I was past Lake Harris, it was pretty cruisy down to Mackenzie Hut. The view from there looked familiar - this is the hut my group from last year had to stay in for safety reasons because our day walk over Emily Pass took so long.
Arriving at Lake Mckenzie hut (mid-right side)
I stopped to top up my water at the hut and then carried on to the Divide Shelter. On my way I ran past Earland Falls. Oh. my. god. The falls were STUNNING! All the rain we had made for an impressive show. Between the rain, and mist from the falls, it was a magical experience. I actually would not have been surprised to find a unicorn standing there - it was that surreal.
I was the last one to the car. Unfortunately, I would have been a little bit quicker if I hadn't tripped about 20 minutes away from the car park. Just as I had passed the sign at Key Summit saying '45 minutes to car park' I thought, I can totally make it in 20 minutes! So, I picked up the pace and... tripped on a rock and went ribs first into a rock wall and then hip checked the damn thing. Ooph! Knocked the wind right out of me! At least I didn't nosedive onto the track... with the momentum I had I could have ended up rolling off the track and down a hill. Perhaps I'll stay on cruise control next time. :)
Just wondering, but to run the Routeburn did you have two cars? Because it's a one-way track isn't it? Cheers
ReplyDeleteHi Hayleigh,
DeleteYou're right about it being a one way track. I knew someone who had started the walk from the Divide the day before. I had camped at the campgrounds near the Routeburn Shelter the night before. We swapped vehicles.