Where in the world is Kat Kong?: Day 2 of Routeburn Track 3-day luxury guided walk

Trip Index

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(Credits: pictures in the Routeburn entries may include ones taken by Peter, Nate and Jen...thanks for sharing!)

Kaleb and I woke up Thursday morning all refreshed...nothing like having a real bed in the wilderness! The generator turned on at 7:30am. Last night after dinner, our group was advised to wait a few minutes for the pump to circulate hot water around the compound before turning on the tap.

We headed over to the main lodge for breakfast. Bits of blue sky were peeking out from the layers of clouds...hopefully we didn't need our rain gear anymore.

weather looking good so far

There was a station set up for hikers to make bag lunches. Selections included different types of lunchmeat, cheeses, veggies, and condiments. There was also egg salad and chicken salad. Snacks were also available such as fruit, candy, and trail mix (or "scroggin" as the Kiwis call it).

lunch station open at 8am

Continental breakfast was served at 8:15am, followed by hot breakfast at 8:30am. Continental fixings included cereal, fruit and yogurt. Hot items consisted of oatmeal, eggs benedict, ham, and toast. A survey of who wanted what was taken after dinner last night.

table set up for breakfast

mmm...Vegemite...

beautiful plating of eggs benedict

After breakfast, we had a little bit of time to freshen up, get our belongings and head out towards Lake Mackenzie to take a group photo.

Then we set off for Routeburn Falls Lodge, via Harris Saddle. The second day's hike would be more strenuous as the track climbed into the mountains. It turned out to be a gorgeous day, perfect for the spectacular views along the way.

3 hours 30 minutes to lunch spot

rocky trail heading up

leaving the green

out onto the ridge, weather getting warmer

beautiful view into the valley

a mountain daisy found this late in the season

We stumbled onto a flock of keas. Everyone enjoyed taking pictures of these cheeky birds.

Nate snapping away...

...to produce this picture

keas look regal

but they act like 4-year olds

nice shot by Peter

26-second video of some keas: (click here if you cannot see the preview below)

27-second video of keas in flight: (click here if you cannot see the preview below)

We continued our journey, enjoying the views.

a safety handrail on the trail

low clouds

Along the way, we reached a bridge crossing over a creek. Up here, the water is so clean that you can drink it without treatment. People filled up their water bottles for the last stretch before reaching our lunch stop at Harris Shelter.

melting snow traveling downhill

refreshing creek

we still had enough water in our packs

filling up on crystal clear water

almost there

let's throw some stairs in for fun

we made it!

At Harris Shelter, there was a public building on the left and one that was just for Ultimate Hikes on the right. Similar to yesterday at Howden Hut, hot water and drink mixes were available. We had lots of room to enjoy our lunch.

Kaleb getting his drink on

snacks in my lunch bag

After lunch, we had an opportunity to take an optional hike up to Conical Hill. The trail was very technical and up to a two hour return, but there were spectacular 360 degree views waiting at the top. Margaret's legs were aching so she decided to continue towards Routeburn Falls Lodge with guide Michael while the rest of us left our packs at the hut to tackle the hill.

it certainly was steep and slippery

up we go

Harris Shelter is way down there

look how far we've gone

some parts were steep and rocky

getting around boulders

Our efforts were rewarded with a stunning view at the top. We could even see the ocean!

reaching the top!

view to the left

in the center

down below

to the right (see the ocean way out there?)

close-up of ocean

16-second clip of the panorama: (click here if you cannot see the preview below)

Then it was time to go back down...going up seemed less treacherous.

maybe I'll just slide

heading down, down, down

We took a short break when we returned to the shelter, while John set off on the trail alone towards the lodge to catch up to Margaret. I was quite impressed with him flying up and down Conical Hill...I can only hope to be as agile when I get to be his age. I think he told us that he and Margaret hiked this same track 50 years ago! I don't know if I'd be around 50 years from now, and even if I was, I doubt I would be healthy enough to hike.

John speeding away

We heard that some keas approached the shelter while we were on Conical Hill, and got into some other hiker's gear. :( You can't leave anything out for the keas to get into.

remnants of gear post-kea

The group proceeded back onto the track. Thank goodness for great weather on this day!

sky, mountains, water

Lake Harris

eating these berries along the way

proceeding down into the valley

a stream making its way down

Routeburn Falls Lodge down there

mission accomplished!

Routeburn Falls right next to the lodge

When we arrived, snacks and refreshments were waiting like yesterday.

watermelon or brownie...or both? both.

The setup at Routeburn Falls Lodge was similar to Lake Mackenzie Lodge.

we had room #1 again

view out the window

same bathroom setup

toiletries are pump instead of snap-top

in-room pamphlet

After cleaning up, we entered the main building for some pre-dinner drinks, appetizers and conversation. I forgot to mention this in the previous blog entry, but items from the bar are put on a tab that you pay for on the last night of the hike, which was tonight in our case.

large lounge

bar

John looking content

the Australians

bar menu

today's dinner (and tomorrow's breakfast)

Tonight, the guides joined us for dinner. Michael was at our table; he was from England. We were noting how the English eat so properly with knife and fork, even balancing green peas onto the back of their forks to deliver them to their mouths. We on the other hand, try to get away with using a fork for everything, including cutting if the food is soft enough.

vegetable soup du jour (I believe it was butternut squash)

yummy fresh baked bread

rib eye steak with herbed butter

grilled salmon

Dinner was delectable. Both the beef and the salmon were perfectly cooked and seasoned. For dessert, it was tradition at the lodge to catch our pancake, based on an old legend. Don't worry, we didn't actually eat the ones thrown in the air! (as most landed on the ground)

do I have to eat this one?

Fran and Nate: (8 sec vid, click here if you cannot see the preview below)

Andrew and Rob: (9 sec vid, click here if you cannot see the preview below)

Jen and Kaleb: (12 sec vid, click here if you cannot see the preview below)

John and Margaret: (19 sec vid, click here if you cannot see the preview below)

Renee and me: (8 sec vid, click here if you cannot see the preview below)

pancake fixings

my pancake piled high

It was a very nice evening. Tomorrow, we conclude our journey on the Routeburn Track! Stay tuned...

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