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andrewg  > Vacation > 4. Kepler Track
NZ Part 4. In early December 2005 I hiked the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand's "Great Walks". During the 3-day trip I stayed in two different huts run by the Department of Conservation.
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andrewg > Morning from the Luxmore Hut. A bit of cloud cover way down low. Yesterday morning I'd started at Lake Te Anau, now visible way down there below the clouds.
andrewg > Theresa, the smiling, friendly, funny, perfectly terrific hut warden at Luxmore Hut. Hut wardens are paid almost nothing: they're essentially volunteers, taking care of the huts, advising trampers, giving nature talks, and otherwise taking responsibility for their outpost almost purely out of love. Theresa embodied that spirit, and the whole hut and everyone within it resonated with her good vibes.
andrewg > The trail out of Luxmore Hut, my second morning. It looks pretty clear, but that was soon to change.
andrewg > Clouds a-coming on the track coming out of Luxmore Hut in the morning.
andrewg > The track out of Luxmore Hut is above the bushline, passing through rock and low scrub.
andrewg > Approaching Mt. Luxmore itself, clouds started rolling in as though they were late to a fabulous party. What had been clear skies only minutes before was now becoming white.
andrewg > A pass below the trail that had been pretty and sunny only a minute or two before I shot this image. When I arrived at Mt. Luxmore itself just a couple of minutes later, I wanted to take the spur trail to the top, but we were completely socked in by cloud. I literally couldn't see ten feet away. I wanted to walk around a bit and see if I could find my way to the top anyway, so I got out my compass so I could get back to the trail. I set my pack by the side of the track and started climbing. I ended up turning back, as climbing the wet, steep rocks (even without my pack) was too dangerous in the whiteout conditions.
andrewg > The Forest Burn Shelter is an emergency refuge when the whether turns dangerous. By the time I reached it the clouds had continued to rise, so it was now mostly clear at our altitude and below. The Kea on top was keeping a keen eye on us, waiting for someone to leave a boot or pack unattended, so that it could fly down and rip it to shreds (Keas are smart, inquisitive, and they love to pick things apart with their powerful beaks. People tell stories of Keas descending on sleeping hikers, quietly untying their boots, and flying off with them just so they could rip them apart).
andrewg > Andrew and fellow hikers at the Forest Burn Shelter. I'm wearing my bright-blue fleece jacket for warmth (thanks, Cindy!).
Morning from the Luxmore Hut. A bit of cloud cover way down low. Yesterday morning I'd started at Lake Te Anau, now visible way down there below the clouds.
> Morning from the Luxmore Hut. A bit of cloud cover way down low. Yesterday morning I'd started at Lake Te Anau, now visible way down there below the clouds.
Morning from the Luxmore Hut. A bit of cloud cover way down low. Yesterday morning I'd started at Lake Te Anau, now visible way down there below the clouds.
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Keywords: morning hut new zealand fiordland luxmore kepler track
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