Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes me inland from Ashburton, following the Ashburton Gorge upstream and across a low saddle into the Rangitata River valley. In the middle of the glacial valley, we discover and climb Mount Sunday, the site of Edoras in the Lord of the Rings movies. From there we head back over the saddle to Clearwater Lakes before reaching the base of Mount Somers where we follow a spectacular track up to Sharplin Falls. From here we head to Staverley for the night.
Today's Journey
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Heading inland from Ashburton, we are briefly slowed down by a farmer herding his sheep - a very common sight in rural New Zealand. |
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Lake Clearwater at Ashburton Lakes. This was once a glacial terminus where the moraine deposited at the end of the glaciers blocked the gullies creating the lakes. |
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An old sheep farming homestead at the Hakatare Conservation Area which once also functioned as a post office. It was built in 1862 and remains one of the oldest buildings in the area. |
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Heading over the hill about to descend into Pott's River and the much larger Rangitata River in the diatance. From here we can just see Mount Sunday in the middle of the shot. |
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Standing at the summit of Mount Sunday, used in the Lord of the Rings films as Edoras, with temporary buildings of Rohan built over its summit. Only the old flag remains. |
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Returning back up the road, we reach Pott's River, and cross the Te Araroa Track. This track runs the length of the country from Cape Reinga at the top of the North Island to Bluff. The hill I climbed behind Riverton in Southland is also part of the track. I will be crossing this track and doing parts of it quite often as I continue my travels through New Zealand. |
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Having come down Ashburton Gorge, we head to the nearby Mount Somers still poking its head out of the clouds. |
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There is a track heading up to the summit, but we take the much more picturesque Sharplin Falls Track. |
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With all the recent rain, this elusive waterfall is flowing more than usual making for this amazing long exposure shot. |
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From the track, we head in front of the mountains a little further to Pudding Hill where we stay the night as more rain falls. |
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