Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey returns along the Milford Road crossing The Divide, then heaing across to Milford Sound where I cruise out to the Tasman Sea.
Today's Journey
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A southerly is blowing hard in Te Anau today hiding the mountains with cold rain falling. It is not looking great for a cruise through Milford Sound today. |
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Heading back up the Milford Road, we stop at Mirror Lake. It would be a mirror if it wasn't rippled by the stiff southerly breeze. Fortunately though the clouds are lifting revealing the spectacular mountains of the Eglinton Range and the sun is shining on parts of the forest. |
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Heading over The Divide and continuing up to the Homer Tunnel, we pass through it coming out here on the other side under spectacular mountains. |
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The sky is mostly clear by the time we reach Milford Sound, though the strong wind is adding a lot of wind chill to the 12 degree air. With the clouds clear we have a perfect view of the dramatic Mitre Peak in full view. |
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Cruising out into Milford Sound, we pass under the mile high cliffs of Mitre Peak approaching Copper Point, named for its blue copper deposits clearly visible in parts of the cliff face. |
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We continue cruising out of the sound until reaching the Tasman Sea, from where we have this amazing view back to the mountains, almost completely concealing the sound. |
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Returning into Milford Sound, we follow its northern side passing Stirling Falls leaping out of a hanging valley between the Lion and the Elephant. |
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Looking across the fiord, Mitre Peak towers a full mile above the water. The fiord was carved out by glaciers in past ice ages. |
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Returning into the Milford Sound harbour passing Bowen Falls plunging out of another hanging valley from where the village's power supply is generated. Milford Sound is completely cut off from the rest of New Zealand so needs to be self-sufficient. |
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Returning towards Te Anau, cold rain continues falling on the other sides of the mountains as we pass through very steep glacial valleys rising to the towering peaks hidden in the clouds. |
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