Days 118-124: Tussocks, River, Tussocks, Mountains!

7 more days down! This last stretch from Lake Coleridge to Lake Tekapo was interesting, beautiful, and pretty tough in some places. Along the way we went through chest-high tussocks, across a 10 km wide river valley, and took a highly recommended detour off the marked track for possibly the best afternoon on the trail so far. From here we have "only" 650 km to go until we reach Bluff!

Days 115-117: Harper River Track

The Harper River Track was a nice cool down section for us, after busting our butts on the Harper Pass and Mingha-Deception tracks. We got some more good river valley views, stayed in a "flash as" hut, and made it to the last of our Wellington food boxes, at Lake Coleridge Lodge. 

Days 109-114: Harper Pass and Mingha-Deception

Whew. We had an exhausting five days through the Harper Pass and Mingha-Deception tracks. Harper Pass was not our favorite section - partly due to the pace we were on, partly due to the weather, and partly due to the lack of the mind-numbingly amazing views we've come to expect after the last couple of weeks. The Mingha-Deception was tough, but interesting... I'll cover that later though.

Days 103-108: Nelson Lakes & Waiau Pass

Wow! Another amazing stretch of trail! I can see why lots of people cite the Nelson Lakes region as one of their favorite spots on the TA. We were a bit nervous about Waiau Pass, the highlight of the section, but it turned out to be easier than we were expecting. We spent five and a half days getting from St. Arnaud through to Boyle Village, and loved almost every minute of it.

Days 95-102: The Richmond Alpine Track

Well, we made it. The Richmond Alpine Track was billed as the hardest section of the TA, and, having completed it, I believe the claims. I also really hope it's true, because if something harder is waiting down the road, I want to know about it now.

More than being tough though, it was beautiful. Easily the most beautiful section of the trail so far, so it was definitely worth the hard work, long days, bruises, and maybe just a few tears.

Days 90-94: Wait, There's a Whole Other Island?

On to the South Island! After mailing a month's worth of food ahead to ourselves, we said goodbye to the Angela, Nik, and the North Island, and hopped on the ferry to Picton.