Thank you everyone for your kind comments!
Originally Posted by
boyerling3
What were the dates of your trip? Did people recommend certain months over others?
We were there in early February. The prime months are usually October-April. You are still allowed to walk the Track in the off-season, the cooking gas is turned off, and even some of the smaller bridges are removed from the track to keep them from getting washed out or damaged in the winter. Additionally, there can be considerable avalanche danger from avalanches that form on the top of the mountains and routinely slide onto the track, so you have to watch avalanche forecasts carefully if attempting the track off season. Personally, I wouldn't even consider the track in the off-season without considerable familiarity with it.
Originally Posted by
glu800
I did a very similar trip report on the Milford Track and South Island about a year ago and your pictures simply put mine to shame. What kind of camera did you use? Thanks for sharing! ^
Thanks, your trip report was actually one of the things that really got me thinking about New Zealand as a destination. I'm so glad I read it. I use an Olympus OM-D EM-5 with the 12-42 lens plus occasionally a Rokinon 7.5 fisheye.
Originally Posted by
Seat 2A
I understand the Routebourn is reservation only now. I used to practically commute to Milford on that track. I knew all the hut wardens, most of whom brewed their own beer!
You know, we actually never saw a kea. I guess they tend to hang out in gangs, and they were at Dumpling the night before us and they went backwards to Mintaro the night we left. The rangers were definitely one of the best parts of the track. One of the ones we met was still actively pursuing all means of home brewing and "medicinal crops" research.