My time in New Zealand is coming to an end. It wasn’t planned but one of my last hikes here was along the aptly named Cape Farewell which is the most northerly point on the South Island. It was originally discovered by Abel Tasman and later named by Captain Cook in 1770 as it was … More Cape Farewell
A number of people had recommended the Muller Hut track in Mt Cook. However at this time of year crampons and an ice axe are recommended so it became ruled out for me. However I ventured up the track anyway to see just how far I could get without them! The track starts on the flat … More Leaving one undone
I mentioned in my last post about The Routeburn Track that it wasn’t a loop. So it presented a dilema on how I best get back to my car. As it crosses a mountain range to drive back by road would be 250km or I could retrace my steps and do the track in reverse. … More The Long Way Home
Am vertical, back on two feet and away from the cakes on the Routeburn track. It’s another of the group of New Zealand’s Great Walks and deservedly so. At 32km it’s one of the shorter trails in the series but makes up for it in variety. How long you spend on the track is up … More Stretching the legs
I have struggled somewhat with this post. My original intent was to share my experience of the remainder of the Milford Track hike with you. However this week a hiker has died on the track after getting swept away on a river crossing. Knowing this happened within days of me being in the same place has … More Milford Track
Once described as the finest walk in the world, the Milford Track is one of New Zealand’s most popular walks, with approximately 14,000 people completing the track each year and I am now one of them. Throughout the Great Walks season, the track is heavily regulated. There is a maximum of 90 walkers per day … More Alone in the woods
While I have been on many hikes here, I was yet to tackle any of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks. Cannot imagine I will get through them all on this trip but hopefully will manage a few! The great walks are billed as “premier tracks that pass through some of New Zealand’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. From … More A GREAT walk…….
A few years ago I came to Queenstown on my first ever ski trip. That week I struggled to stay upright, it was either the skis, the ski lifts or the pubs, all of which gave me trouble. The ski season is still a few weeks away so this time I have two less obstacles, … More Another day at the office
It’s already been established that driving anywhere takes me a while because I stop a lot for photographs and I can also confirm the same condition applies when hiking, especially on this frosty morning. From Mt Aspiring Hut I decided to hike to Liverpool Hut and back for the day. The beginning is gentle and flat … More Successful debut contd.
Niamh on Leave 