Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey departs Perry Saddle, straddling the mountainside above Gorge Creek to the track's highest point at Flanagan's Point. From there it moderately descends about 800 metres passing Aorere Shelter to eventually reach Brown River. Once across the river I stay at Brown Hut as rain sets in.
Today's Journey
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A spectacular red dawn breaks over Devil's Teeth. It has been quite windy overnight so no frost has settled here at Perry Saddle. The red sky in the morning indicates bad weather is on the way, so I'm happy to be heading down the mountain today. |
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View back down towards Gouland Downs as cloud begins building. It will already be overcast over the coast with rain to start falling soon. |
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View to Mount Olympus from a clearing in the track as it gradually ascends from Perry Saddle. |
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Lookout Point at Flagagan's Corner, the highest point of the main track at 915 metres above sea level. From here the rest of today's trek all downhill to about 100 metres above sea level. |
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Descending the good track passing Aorere Shelter and passing through increasingly thickening forest as the climate gradually warms. |
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View up the Aorere Valley through a rare gap in the forest as the track continues descending. The valley is widening as we head away from the higher mountains. |
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Most of the way is obscurred by thick vegetation. |
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The track remains in excellent condition and the moderate grade dropping 800 metres is constant as this was once surveyed as a road. |
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The forest changes and tree ferns start appearing as we get lower into warmer climes. Cloud has by now completely covered the sky with rain threatening to fall. |
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Eventually I reach the bridge over Brown River. Brown Hut is just a hundred metres past here, and I stay there on my final night on the Heaphy Track before returning to civilisation tomorrow. |
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