Where We Be
| Kepler Track, New Zealand |
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| From sandy lakes to "goblin forests" of moss-covered beech trees, and from pitch-black limestone caves to astounding exposed ridge walks in alpine country, the Kepler Track offers a little bit of everything. |
We made it! Our muscles are sore and our feet
blistered but we survived our four-day tramp
along the Kepler Track. One of New Zealand's
nine "Great Walks," it is listed as moderately
difficult and covers 36 miles in four days. You
stay in three backcountry huts along the way.
Day one involves hard slogging uphill through
beech forest until you break above treeline and
reach Luxmore Hut. This backcountry hut has a
shared kitchen with gas stoves for cooking and
a bunk room with 50 sturdily built wooden bunks
each containing an orange-colored mattress.
The second day is the hardest -- and most
rewarding. You hike along an exposed ridge
high above treeline with dramatic views of the
surrounding mountains and two huge lakes
below. It was a misty, rainy day, which made it
hauntingly beautiful. We'd love to do it again on
a sunny day. The descent on the second day is
long and steep and involves 90 switchbacks!
On the third day you stay at a hut located on
lovely Lake Manapouri, which is perfect for a
brisk swim. The fourth day is a short hike out.
blistered but we survived our four-day tramp
along the Kepler Track. One of New Zealand's
nine "Great Walks," it is listed as moderately
difficult and covers 36 miles in four days. You
stay in three backcountry huts along the way.
Day one involves hard slogging uphill through
beech forest until you break above treeline and
reach Luxmore Hut. This backcountry hut has a
shared kitchen with gas stoves for cooking and
a bunk room with 50 sturdily built wooden bunks
each containing an orange-colored mattress.
The second day is the hardest -- and most
rewarding. You hike along an exposed ridge
high above treeline with dramatic views of the
surrounding mountains and two huge lakes
below. It was a misty, rainy day, which made it
hauntingly beautiful. We'd love to do it again on
a sunny day. The descent on the second day is
long and steep and involves 90 switchbacks!
On the third day you stay at a hut located on
lovely Lake Manapouri, which is perfect for a
brisk swim. The fourth day is a short hike out.
| Robin tramps across the exposed ridge of the Kepler Track (Day 2) |
| A lovely stretch of beach on Lake Te Anau near the start of the hike |
| Much of the hike meandered through beech forest like this |
| The last time we looked this clean in the next four days! |
| The fantastic view of Lake Te Anau from Luxmore Hut, our first backcountry hut |
| Dramatic view of a ridge walk with misty clouds moving in |
| We love the amazing fern forests here |
| A view of Luxmore Hut with its mountain backdrop |
| Robin checking out the kitchen with its multiple gas burners and sinks |
| Sunset over the Kepler Mountains with clouds blanketing the lowlands |
| Mood shot of misty mountains with a faint tinge of sunlight |
| Robin tests out her bottom bunk at Luxmore hut |
| Wearing my headlamp on my caving adventure near Luxmore |
| The cave went on forever...or so it seemed |
| A lone hiker crosses the ridge with mists billowing around the mountains |
| At the high point of the Kepler Track |
| Rainbow at Lake Manapouri where we took a brisk swim at the end of Day 3 |
| This kea (New Zealand parrot) is being cheeky (curious) about my camera |
| Charcoal boulders contrast with the soft blue lake and misty mountains |
| Day 3 was long but mostly easy hiking, sometimes alongside a river |
| Robin with rain hood off during a rare moment of near-sunshine |