Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes me from Lake Howden Hut hiking up to the very misty Key Summit, before descending to the end of the Routeburn Track at The Divide, the lowest mountain pass over the Southern Alps. From there a track bus takes me into the beautiful lakeside town of Te Anau.
Today's Journey
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Thick cloud covers the mountains in the early morning. I decide to have an early start as rain is expected today. |
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The track ascending out of Lake Howden is in good condition. I reach a junction with a side track to Key Summit. Although I am now enveloped in cloud, I decide to head up this track. |
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Boardwalk over the swampy ridge of Key Summit in the dense cloud fog. |
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Although the air is calm this morning, the trees here are very windswept due to the often harsh conditions up here. |
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The boardwalk passes through the goblin forest under Key Summit before descending back to the main track. |
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The main track descends into thick forest enveloped by the cloud as light rain begins falling. |
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The track is in good condition as it descends to its end at The Divide on the Milford Road. At 563 metres high, this is the lowest pass in the Southern Alps. |
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From the end of the track, I catch a track bus along the Milford Road through the spectacular Eglinton Valley towards Te Anau. |
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Towards the end of the Eglinton Valley just before reaching Lake Te Anau. From here the road follows above the lake to Te Anau town at its southern end. |
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Having been hiking for five days (with more trekking to come), I spend the afternoon relaxing beside the lake. Although rain had been forecast, the sky is clearing but a southerly with more rain is forecast for tomorrow. |
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