Hike Trail: Feb 2011

Torea Saddle (beginning of uphill ascent)

The second installation of this hiking entry will be from my recent walk (in fact I just got back from it today!) at the Marlborough Sound, NZ. The Queen Charlotte Track is actually a 71 km long track and trampers are expected to hikes for at least 3-4 days to finish the walk. My day walk was the last third of the length-- 22.5 km from Torea Bay to Anakiwa. All and all, this walk was designed for moderate trampers, i.e. people with moderate physical fitness and a good pair of walking shoes. I am planning to come back again and do the other two-third of the length when I am able to. One thing I love about hiking in NZ is that its track are all properly maintained, thanks to the DoC care. It's one thing that Malaysian Govt should learn to encourage bush walks tourism.

Properly maintained track is important to minimized damages

I hopped onto the chartered boat cruise, Endeavour Express as early as 9 a.m. to kick start my journey. By 9.30 a.m. I was well on my way up to where the real hike walkway starts at Torea Saddle. This is the start of 8 km of majority of uphill walk; I am expected to take 4 hours to finish this section.

Kenepuru Sound

Looking back to uphill ascent walk. Boy, did it kill my legs or what?!

The view from high altitudes are spectacular. Here's the Kenepuru Sound magic bursting through an overcast day. It's a shame that the Sun has been hiding behind the thick clouds, but nevertheless this did not diminished the views as far as my eyes can see. After walking for an hour or so, it started to drizzle and pouring a bit here and there throughout my first section of the walk. I looked at the bright side and put away contempt for the awful weather and sitting on it.

Some greens I've found in the pathway..

It's probably this quite cold weather that helped me cut the walk time down to 3 hours. I was so surprised that I've finished this ascent hike in time for my lunch break. I had a stop overlooking the Te Mahia Bay for my 20 mins lunch break. The weather improve slightly in that it's not trickling anymore around noon, despite it's being overcast.

Te Mahia Saddle

Second part of the walk (14.5 km)

A little bit more to go!

The rest of the track is as easy as this..

By now I've realized that I may be running out of time to catch my boat home if I delay my second section of the walk by any minute. My backpack are lighter too now that some fruits are eaten and water is down to half.

The second section is a 14.5 km long cruise walk. It's through thick bushes with no extreme uphills ascent in contrast to the 1st section I've done earlier. I am supposed to take 4 hours for this walk. This walk is through much of private property lands; so essentially some fences here and there.

Rewarded with a view of Omahau Bay

I managed to finish this section in 3 hours. Again a feat that I was a bit disappointed of since it's much easier to navigate yet it took me quite a while to finish it. Maybe my legs are getting too tired or my pace gone down. Either ways, I've much time to actually fell asleep waiting for my boat at the wharf while reading my book. I've got an extra 45 mins time, so I didn't feel guilty falling asleep!

End of Walk, Anakiwa Wharf

Terribly heavy eyes...

By the time I got into the boat, I met another hiker who'd done the 3 days feat tramp of Queen Charlotte track. Boy, did he looked terrible after the tramp! As we talked, we've become acquaintances and I got to know that he, Yahael, an Israeli is on a 3 months mission to sightseeing NZ. A feat that I doubt I can last.

Yahael as it turned out had tramp around North Island for the last 1 month, and this is the start of his hike on the South Island. The poor guy apparently has ran out of water and food since 11 am that morning of his 3rd day, and I feel pitiful for him that I offered my energy bar which he declined respectfully. Not giving up, I persuaded the guy to take my water since he's sounded like he's losing his voice while earnestly making a friendly conversation with me! Yahael took several sips, and I felt like I've offered half of my inheritance to a a beggar! :P

At the end of the conversation, I offered him to come to stay at my backpacker hostel since he's got no planned stay. Luckily we've got room left for him to stay for the night, and we've become good friends in a matter of hours! I shall talk more of him and Israel in my future entries.

A bird eye view from Cessna of Queen Charlotte Track

Comment: Yahael is my 2nd encounter with an Israeli who's from Israel so far. I think it's magic meeting given that my passport would never allow me to go near to his country, yet thousands of miles away I get to meet an Israeli and carry on a conversation as if he's my neighbor for centuries! Sometime I don't get it why our govt barred us from entering Israel...