Lost on a mountain

It appears I couldn't resist one last hurrah of stupidity before settling down to live for a while.

Joe and I drove half way up the thumb mountain. We were completely surrounded by thick snow. So off we went for a 5km walk through the snow to a hut we were going to spend the night at before hiking back in the morning.

We set off full of jest that this hike was so isolated we were probably going to get lost or snowed, or something of the like! 

We trudged through the snow lightly for a while, following the bright orange markers set out to direct us to the hut. All was going well until we arrived at a wide river which had burst it's banks. Creating a swamp all around and through the hiking track.

I used the skills, that I never in a million years thought I would use, that I learnt in cub scouts. The old three stone manoeuvre. Step on two while moving the back one to the front and continue. After about half hour or so I got to firm land and could direct Joe along the valley wall to a viable track to meet me.

Light started to fade, still we joked about getting stranded in the snow as no one knew we were there.

I don't know if you've ever been in a snowy mountain valley. Light fades bloody fast after the summit eclipses the sun. We followed the river for a while but it quickly became too dark to see the orange guide polls. We followed our noses as well as my compass to no avail.

Things were getting a little tense. Joe started talking about trying to get back to the car. That clearly wasn't an option as we would never be able to find our way through the snow field we had traversed as there were no landmarks aside from 400 meter apart polls which we could not see from more than two meters away.

WAIT!!! What's that! There's someone there! We're saved! 

A blinding bright light had just appeared from over a ridge. So bright Joe and I could hardly look directly at it. Thank goodness, someone must have found our car and known the track wasn't possible to navigate. But what was it? A snow vehicle? A searchlight from a ski field? I started waving my torch at it and shouting.

Joe quickly stopped me by grabbing the tourch. We hadn't booked the night at the hut so if we were caught going there, or camping without a permit it was an instant $200 fine each. While we were discussing our options, the white bright light continued to grow on the horizon.

Ahhhh shit, 

It's the Moon.

Bloody idiots.

After that excitement we decided the best thing to do was to a find a half suitable place to bunk down for the night. After a lot of heated discussion we found a slightly less steep ledge to lie on. Joe used a sheet he had bought and tied it to some grass to stop him slipping down the mountainside.

I found a ton of dead, straw like, grass. I ripped tons out and buit myself a nest. Five layers on top and three on the bottom later I climbed into my sleeping bag under the bright Southern Hemisphere stars. With orian the hunter keeping a watchful eye over us.

On the side of the mountain I listened to the fantastic climax of the Harry Potter audio books. I even managed to steal an hour or two of fragmented sleep.

I peeked out my head at around 1am. My worst fears had materialised. The clear velvet sky had been replaced by dense froeboding cloud cover. Did I make the right decision in making us stay put for the night. Should we have made the risky hike back in the dark. We could have got lost, we could have fallen and hurt ourselves; but we might have made it. Was it not worth a try? If it snowed, as it surly would, we were complety screwed. We would be lost, soaked in minuets and freezing cold, at altitude to boot. After checking on Joe who was pissed off but fine, I decided we would have to stay put. We had made the decision to stay put and the best thing to do was to stick to that plan.

If it started to snow properly we would have to just walk around by the river to keep warm until it was bright enough to see the markers and get back to the car.

We bunkered down again. I think I managed to drop off about half four. To wake up again halfway down the slope. But it was light and the heavens hadn't opened.

We stuffed away our bags and followed our foot prints back to the river, along the bank, up the valley and across the snow field back to the car. 

Back safe and sound!

What where we ever worried about!

We even luckily bumped into a caretaker/groundsman so we didn't get locked on the mountain as he was planning to lock a gate on the road! Although Joe did have to push me and the car out of the snow that had settled under the tyres.

Up to the Mckenzie district

We drove up to Oumaru yesterday. Unfortunately the penguins were 'out' so we busied ourselves playing in the visitor information centre.

We then got back on the road and drove right up into the Mckenzie mountainous district. We missed our campsite but managed to find a nice spot by a lake. We played cards with Robert, a solo German guy who was really cool!

Today we drove up Mt John for astounding panoramic views.

We then drove to lake takaku, giving Robert a lift in exchange for a Boston bun, and around to the base of the thumb mountains for a simple 5km snow hike.

Dunedin

On Saturday morning, despite feeling a bit sensitive from the night before, we went to 'the best farmers market in New Zealand' which is funny as I have heard that claim at least six times!

The best part was having my first malt loaf for a year!

It was, in fact, distinctly average. So after a quick circuit we walked out to the Highlanders Rugby Stadium to buy tickets for the game that evening. After we got our tickets for the Zoo stand. The Zoo stand is renound in New Zealand for having a great atmosphere.

We then walked into the park and botanic gardens, watching some kids rugby on the way.

That evening we went and watched some very exciting super rugby. Tries a plenty as the Highlanders squandered a 30 point half time lead to win by one point as the Lions kicker missed a conversion in the last minuet of the game. Joe, unfortunatly, had a cold sore so we couldn't go out that night.

The next few days were pretty chilled. We visited the Otago museum. Which had some really interesting anthropology exhibits. We also went to the New Zealand settlers museum where I tried on some vintage clothing!

I also watched brave heart in the evening with some Germans who had never heard of it.

Dunedin, boys on tour!

As soon as Joe and I arrived in Dunedin, the student city of New Zealand we went for a bit of a walk. A walk that very quickly turned into a pub crawl!

First hit was a English style old man pub, fitted out with drunk 'regulars' bantering with the bar maid as she took to her knees to get something from under the bar. We then went on to a trendy wine bar before going to an emersons brewery bar. Here we grabbed a booth and after a while were joined by a couple, we had a good chat and got some ideas on what to do over the next few days. We were also lucky enough to have a specially brewed beer. Very tasty!

On the way to the next pub we became attached to a group of lads from Dunedin. They took us under their wing and brought us to "the best club in Dunedin."

Us and the other five people in the place had a great time! We had a dance for about half hour before slinking off to call it a night.

We arrived back in the hostel to a party atmosphere. So we turned straight around with our new friends in toe. We went back out and to a bar with a DJ in the octagon (the central circle in Dunedin). We had a really good time. The barman served us all a drink, we enjoyed it, then he said he couldn't serve us anymore as we'd been drinking.... Duhhh!

So we left. Whilst hanging around outside we got hounded by a couple of dim witted locals trying to sell us pot. We also met a hilarious Samoan teenager called Reggie. He challenged me to a downing race with a tinned bourbon cola. He didn't even finish... Too fizzy apparently.

The Deep South

After a couple of I days if relaxation in queenstown, and a pretty awesome run up one of the mountains overlooking the Great Lake Joe and I made our way down to the Catlins.

First I had my police interview, which went well. I got fined $200 and had to write an apology letter to the prick.

After this I went back, high fived Joe for not going to prison and we set out on the road.

We drove down South with Joe's excellent directional skills. Pointing left and saying "ok, take the next right." Hmmmm. We made our way to the information centre at the beginning of the Catlins scenic drive. The guy there was a blatand serial killer. So we left promptly.

We eventually got down to the lighthouse point and went for a walk on the beach. While we were looking at these weird, lively sand fleas which made the ground look like it was vibrating due to so much movement I spotted a huge Sea Lion coming out of the water!

He was huge, at least 6 if not 7 foot nose to tail. We watched him lumbering around from a distance before getting a bit closer when he got into the undergrowth. As he trundled along we were watching, silently, in awe. Until a massive roar was let out. He had accidentally fallen down the bank and landed on an even bigger Sea Lion! She was not happy at all! Stood up, gave him a whack, spotted us and jumped down onto the sand at us. Joe pegged it. Stupidly I had just read 'Life of Pi' where a small boy lives on a boat with a Tiger using eye contact to gain dominance.

Although this book is complete fiction and could quite easily get me mauled I tried the same technique. The Sea Lion got to about 4 foot from me and stopped. Staring for a while before retreating up the sand onto the bank.

That night we set up camp under an enormous wind swept fern tree. So wind swept in fact that the tree tip touched the floor!

Today we woke early, pleased that our tent hadn't been attacked by sea lions. Today we drove through the Catlins. Stopping to look at petrified, or, fossilised trees. A few waterfalls and some huge caves.

We went on a hike from the bottom of the South Island and saw some fur seals with their pups too!

Scott Aspect 60 Black S 12 Frame #08112349 7:41 pm, Mon 19 May

The caves were the highlight as there was some amazingly green slime, pink slime and also these weird rubbery sea trees that we picked up and threw at each other.

Bye bye Jana

We drove back through the amazing mountains, along cliffs and around stupendous lakes back towards queenstown. We stopped off briefly in the autumnal arrow town for the autumn festivel. 

The vivid variety of colours of the leaves was breathtaking in the afternoon sunlight.

I stopped and offered to help a couple trying to change a flat tyre and was rewarded by finding out they owned a hostel in queenstown and gave us a private room for cheaper than a 12 bed dorm for my kindness.

We then moseyed back to queenstown and geared up for a good night out. A particular highlight was Jana getting hit on by this really drunk guy. She escaped by saying a decorative vintage phone was ringing and scooping it up and having a long conversation with no one.

Obviously I wasn't drinking due to the terms of my bale but that didn't stop me dancing my arse off all night long. We had a great time and finished the night at 5am in the hostels laundry room. We crashed for a couple of hours before sending Jana off on the bus to Dunedin bringing the team down to two.

It was an emotional goodbye and Jana will be sorely missed.

The Milford Track

Straight after court on Monday we said a fond farewell to Charlie who had decided she would fly back to Auckland.

We piled into the car one Classic CrossBreeze team member less and drove deeper into the dramatic fiord land mountains to Te Anau. Te Anau is a very picturesque town in the shore of one of the largest glacial lakes in the world. We caused some trouble in the local supermarket picking up supplies for the hike and Joe and I shared another roast chicken.

We were up ludicrously early Tuesday morning to pack and catch out boat across the calm lake Te Anau in the drizzle to the start of the track. Already the steep green mountains with white snowy caps reflected in the clear fresh water was mesmerising.

We arrived at the jetty and after a short hour or so strole and a break at a sunny spot in a Rocky riverbank for lunch we arrived at the first hut.

Wednesday we set off fairly early for a walk that day that would lead us into the heart of the glacial gorge. The river and lakes got more clear and reflective as the mountains got increasingly majestic.

A sprightly, friendly robin came to say hello while we were taking in a view point. Coming right up close and considered sitting on joes shoulder for a moment.

We had lunch on an avalanche field today with striking views all around. I played with my catapult.

We arrived at the cabin just as the sun started hanging low in the sky, just enough time to play poo sticks on a bridge!

That evening we invited Richard, a solo hiker intending to stay on the track for eight weeks for photography; We also invited Jordan, a 15 year old traveling with his parents to play a blankety blank style game called 'Cards Against Humanity'. It was a lot of fun with some hilarious sentences being made.

The next morning we were woken by a flock of Kia, a giant parrot bird, frolicking outside the hut. Similar to the robin, they were very friendly. Hopping right up close to us and one very comically followed Jana to the water tank like playing grandmothers footsteps.

We set off for our third day through an eerie moss covered forest. We could have quite easily been in a fantasy Narnia style world. 

After an hour we started our ascent up the mountain over the McKinnon pass. I carried Joe's and my own bag for the last quatre so he could go and take Jana's, as she had fallen behind.

The 360 degree views of the mountains and canyons were like nothing I have ever seen before. Staggering.

After a while of enjoying the breathtaking scenery we made our slow descent to the next hut. 

Our final day was spent hiking through waterfall kingdom. We saw falls of all varieties, shapes and sizes. Many with the most startlingly vivid turquoise water that you would never have believed could exist unless you saw it yourself.

I also found out Jana had never seen Toy Story.

We contined along a carved path within a cliff face a while until we arrived at sandfly point where we got a boat across the milford sound and a bus back to our cozy beds in Te Anau.

Where Joe stole my camera....

Not the way I planned

Saturday night!

Our first and only big night out!

We played some drinking games and were having a great time.

The night ended early with me being arrested and spending a night in the cells. I don't much feel like sharing!

I went to court on Monday and was let out on bale. Now I have a year in prison hanging over my head but hopefully I will get a diversion such as a fine or anger management classes.

The Great Lakes

Now time for one of our most spectacular drives.

The drive through lake Wanaka and Haweia. The clouds parted, sun shone and the views were spectacular. 

Joe and I went for a run as soon as we got there. The lake and views were amazing. Unfortunatly I was still paying for the kidney beans. I pooed three times in the thirty minuet run. Once nearly discovered by a small dog.

The next day I took Charlie and Joe to the doctors while I went and organised our next adventure to the milford track. After this Jana and I went for a lakeside BBQ while Joe was supposed to run down and meet us there. Two hours later, still no sign of him. We search all around the small town with no sign of him. We couldn't find him anywhere and I was really worried. Eventually we found him back at our last campsite watching tv. Dickhead.

On our drive out of Wanaka we found hundreds of bras tied to a fence without explanation.

The glaciers

Once we had escaped the shortly quelled screaming man we drove to pancake rocks.

It was an amazing and very unique sight. The sedemented layers of the cliffs had weathered un evenly. Leaving the effect of big stone pancakes lying on top of each other in vast towers.

We then drove to the Franz Josef glacier. Due to poor weather we were unable to go ice climbing, so had to be satisfied with a short walk to the glacial head. Where a huge ice glacier was nestled snugly between the two arms of the gorge. 

We took some rude photos with the ranger cut out.

We then continued south via a mirror like lake where a really nice older guy took some photos of us, which Charlie ruined every time!

I learnt a very important dietary lesson today. Eating a tin of kidney beans does not come without its consequences.

We arrived at the campsite, I was fit to burst, but the long drop toilets was the most vile place on earth so I crept away from the others after pitching the tent under cover of darkness. I found a nice little ditch  that I reckoned no child was going to fall in for a nasty surprise.

I then had to sit there squatting in the drizzle like a filthy animal. To make matters worse I realised mid 'movement' that although I had gone away from the tents I had accidentally picked a spot not ten feet from a bloody campervan! So as they approached the window to wash up I had to duck, making myself a human ball so my head wasn't visible poking out of the ditch, revealing my squaller!

We then went down to Gillespie beach to camp in the shadow of mount cook. We had a really nice evening listening to the Ricky Gervais show before the storm rolled in.

We were all awoken in the early hours of the morning by the most intense storm I have ever witnessed. Well, I witnessed a bit less than everyone else as I slept through the first hour!

The tent was being punished by the stiff unrelenting wind as lightning struck not 100 meters away! The thunder was deafening and the rain savage. We picked our moment as the rain died a little and dashed to the car and got the hell out of there!