19-20 March 2022

Leader: Peter Davis

After a good night's sleep in a real bed at our Kinloch Backpackers base, we were off in our people mover to start the next part of 2 weeks tramping in Mt Aspiring National Park, in the area around the head of Lake Whakatipu.

Yingjun's phone was loaded with our karaoke list and we sang heartily as our wheels rattled over the gravel road toward the Routeburn road end. Unusually the silence was broken as we arrived!

Soon we had our tent laden packs on our backs and after a few minor adjustments and loo stops we were on our way. About 10 minutes along the well formed Routeburn Track we got to our turn off for the Rockburn Track. Immediately we left the well graded Great Walk benched track for real tramping, laden with tree roots, mega steps and some windfall (but no mud!).

We wandered upward through some beautiful beech and podocarp forest with the ascent slowly getting steeper. After leaving a little oxygen for the birds that we saw along the way, we broke out onto the tussock tops. Mountains surrounded us, some partly cloud-covered, some still with last season's snow. We had a glance down at the hazy valley floor from where we had come, golden pastures with the braided grey river bed weaving it's way to the out-of-sight Lake Whakatipu.

Once over the pass another eye massage appeared of even greater mountains and valleys. Avoiding the spaniards we parked ourselves down on the various soft seats offered by the tussock grass for a lunch stop and photo shoot.

Being far too comfortable in the warm sun, gentle breeze, great views and with tummies full, we decided to get going and punish our knees on the steep decent into the next valley.

Down.. down.. down we went through a rocky, rooty beech forest, occasionally sidling past some steep waterfalls and drop-offs. We finally reached the turn-off where we were to head toward Rockburn shelter. DW spotted some wasps near the track so we rested a wee way further along before tackling the ongoing sidle track.

Up 'n' down, up 'n' down (this went on for a few hours ) up 'n' down, up 'n'.... you get the picture! Finally feeling pretty tired, we reached the 5 minutes to our destination sign.. Yay!

The memory of the sidle was quickly fading as we came out onto the big golden grass opening. The sparkling river flowing by with towering mountains in the background and camping spots a-plenty.

Before long the frenzy of tent erecting was underway and yes, waiting in the shadows, unbeknown watching, was the sandfly. Not just one... No, many! They waited until our defence was at its lowest, hands full of tent pegs, one boot off, half changed, apple in hand... you know the moment... Attack!... Mine, mine! mine! they screamed as they attacked from every angle. Kate and DW were well prepared and confused the attackers by wearing their black and white head veils. The rest of us just had to fight bare faced with no protection. Kylie tried to shelter in her tent but the sandflies found their way in... was there no escape?

Ah yes, a cuppa tea along with clothes and 100% organic Deet... Calm returned to the camp.

We sat around a campfire that mysteriously appeared and enjoyed the sensible chat that often happens around a Parawai dinner table. We watched some amazing cloud formations before nightfall Soon as it got dark, and being tired from a great day's walking we were early to bed.

After a calm night we awoke to another fine day for our walk out via Lake Sylvan.

The walk out was very pleasant, and being lower-lying and sheltered, the beech forest had some huge specimens. We stopped at a sandy bay for lunch and following our fearless leader, one by one we braved the warm top layer of Lake Sylvan (1 mm).

After the refreshing dip we sat in the sunshine - surprisingly with no sandflies. Then there was a short walk to the roadend. Some of the faster ones went to get the vehicles while the rest of us hung the tents out and sat in the sun.

A great overnight circuit. Thanks to Pistol for organizing... Smurfy.

Those on the trip were:

David Williams, Elisabeth Hynes, Kate Livingston, Kylie Gilbert, Neville Grubner, Paul Michl, Peter Davis, Yingjun Shelton, Anne Bate

Currently there is no photo album for this trip.