From: tchild@autodesk.com (Timothy Child)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand
Subject: Re: Milford Track
Date: 17 Dec 92 02:04:07 GMT
Reply-To: tchild@autodesk.com
Organization: Autodesk, Inc.

In article 41530001@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM, erics@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM (Eric P. Solari) writes:
> greetings,
> 
> i'm planning on being in NZ next mos. and have an opportunity to
> do the Milford Track.  thing is, its *VERY* expensive -- U.S. $690.00.
> this is for both the 4 night and the 5 night options -- the 4 night
> option uses a plane to get you to the starting point, the 5 night option
> you hike to the start.
> 
> anyway, is it worth it?  any opinions on the Track would be
> greatly appreciated.  also, what about some of the others?  Hollyford,
> Roturburn, etc.

  I don't remember the 4 or 5 night options. I did "The Track" 3 yrs
  ago with my fiance' and it was  really worth it. We took the guided
  trip and spent 3 nights on the track and 1 night in the THC Milford
  Sound, and then another night in the THC Queenstown.

  Since this was the week before christmas there were spaces on the
  guided trip and the DIY trip. The DIY trip is basic hiking, bring
  everything except a tent, it's about $15 a night plus the bus and
  boat fares.

  We started  from Te Anu after spending the night in an
  "unforgettable" motel (I wish we could!). The Track office is at the
  THC Te Anu and they provide wet weather gear and a small frameless
  pack if you need it.  The only things you need to bring are:  camera
  & film, underwear, toiletries, bug repellent (try a 50/50  mix of
  Avon Skin So Soft and baby oil), socks and boots. Check the weather
  forecast before you leave, our forecast was snow at two of the huts.
  The previous week they had  over 80cm of rain in 24hrs and a hut was
  washed into the river!

  The first days journey starts with a bus  trip to the boat. The boat
  takes you across Lake Te Anu and you walk 1 mile to the first hut.
  DIY trampers walk 4 miles further to a different hut.
  From this point on DIY hikers are always ahead and staying in
  different huts. The huts have two unisex dorms each with bunk beds
  for about 20 people.

  At each hut you get 5 meals a day, breakfast: both cold and hot.
  Lunch: sandwiches to go; afternoon tea when you arrive at the next
  hut. This is followed by dinner and finally supper. All the food is
  either brought in by 4wd, chopper or plane, you won't starve, we
  probably put on a few kilos. DIY hikers have to bring their own food
  and cook it themselves. Also, each hut has a drying room to dry off
  wet clothes. That's important when the east side of McKinnon pass
  gets 300" rain and the west side gets 400" rain, a year.

  The second days  hike is up a river valley, crossing from side to
  side on those "tarzan" wire rope bridges. The lunch stop is at a
  covered shelter. This provides a dry place to eat your sandwiches
  with hot tea and fruit cake. There are plenty of bathroom facilities
  provided on the track, you don't need to find a bush or a tree to
  go.  Someone must of worked hard to determine their correct placement.

  Watch out for the Keas at the huts and the lunch spots. They can open
  zippers in packs and will steal anything that looks like food.  One
  woman had her money in a ziplok bag, a Kea took it thinking it was
  food. The vegetation is lush; giant fushia trees draped with moss,
  tree ferns and beech trees.

  Day three is a hike to the head of the river and then up and over the
  McKinnon pass. There could be snow on top, but there is hut which
  provides  shelter, hot tea and more fruit cake. Check out the loo
  with a view. There is a steep decent, 1000m in 4.5Km from McKinnon
  Pass to hut #3.

  From hut #3 there is a 15-20 minute walk to the base of the
  Sutherland  Falls. The Sutherland Falls, a scene not to missed, is a
  triple decker, and one of the 3 highest in the world. The beauty of
  the falls makes you crazy enough to want to walk under it. Don't
  bother to resist, the icy cold water is invigorating! Also, from hut #3
  you can take a scenic flight over the falls or get yourself flown out
  to Milford. They'll also fly your packs out, this all costs extra.

  Day 4 was our last day on the track. It's a walk down a river valley
  to Milford Sound. You can't say enough about the scenery, the lush
  vegetation, and the crystal clear rivers. The track ends with a short
  boat trip across Milford Sound to Milford. Our guided trip included
  an overnight say at the THC Milford Sound with dinner. It also included
  breakfast, and a boat trip on the sound followed by lunch, on the
  next day.

  Milford Sound, with Mitre peak is one of the most beautiful fjords
  I've seen. With near vertical sides, dwarf trees, tree avalanches,
  waterfalls and hanging valleys, it's spectacular. Is it worth $690? I
  would pay that to go again. It's luxury hiking, a good trail the best
  scenary anywhere and good food that you don't have to carry or cook.
  The huts are well spaced, the trail isn't crowded, you can just amble
  along you aren't herded around in group.

  You may be lucky and get an opening on the unguided (DIY) trip. The
  "track" is certainly comparable with the Yosemite high country loop
  trip which now costs over $80 a night.  If you can't do the "track"
  there is plenty of great hiking in the rest of NZ , check out the
  book: Tramping in NZ, published by Lonely Planet books.

  -Tim.

  
 (THC = Tourist Hotel Corporation)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.new-zealand