Friday, February 28, 2014

Abel Tasman, 4

Day four of our 2014 Abel Tasman tramp...
Vicki begins the crossing of Awaroa Bay, a bit of a thrill on an otherwise gentle trek;
note clouds; humidity; 7 in the AM
















Others crossing; you're never in a crowd on the AT, but never quite alone, either
















More clouds















Looking toward the sea...more clouds















Of course, the big challenge at Awaroa is crossing the bay
without crunching any shells
















But finally, after half an hour, you make it to the other side





















It's a jungle out there















Beach and white-out





























In the bush, every big old tree has numerous
parasites





















A mile or so out of Totaranui, we encountered a group of 11-year-olds from
Nelson Intermediate School, on the AT for a week-long field trip; nice kids
and teachers

















Another detour! Uphill, too!















At least it's always a great trail




















At Totaranui, I call it quits: too much humidity, bugs, detours, weight, noisy campground
neighbors, etc; we call the water taxi and head back to Marahau; most people stop at
Totaranui anyway, and we'd already done the big leg to Wharwharangi in 2009

















And our rustic little cabin at the Marahau Beach Camp

Abel Tasman, 3

Day three of our Abel Tasman tramp, Bark Bay to Awaroa campground, with a brief stop at Awaroa Lodge.
Stupid kayaker tricks at Bark Bay















Tidal flats















Ditto, Bark Bay campground in the trees















Aggressive tree fern











































Difference #4 from 2009...it starts getting really, really humid
















Playing Blue Lagoon on an isolated beach











































Dead blue penguin...















Boardwalk across wetlands















Difference #5..we'd planned on a nice major meal at Awaroa Lodge, but they don't
serve from 3-6PM, and we had to settle for a tuna wrap and a salad...bummer

















The ups and downs of the Abel Tasman















And so we arrived at Awaroa Bay and campground with this grim reminder of
what happens if you don't get the tides right



Abel Tasman, 2

Day two of our 2014 Abel Tasman tramp, Anchorage to Bark Bay. The pix don't convey it, but day two was the beginning of some hardships...more sand flies, a short tidal crossing blown off but a long uphill hike substituted, and a loud, unpleasant night at the boatie-filled campground at Bark Bay. Should we do this again, we'll stay at the hut at Bark Bay.














































































































































































































Abel Tasman, 1

The Abel Tasman tramp is one of New Zealand's half dozen "Great Walks," short treks that bring hundreds of thousands of people here every year. The AT is perhaps the easiest of them, at least in terms of length and elevation gain/loss. All told, it is 4 nights and 5 days one way, typically with a water-taxi return. The manicured track alternates between temperate bush, beautiful clear streams, waterfalls and pools, and then miles of golden beach, islands, and turquoise sea. All this we did in 2009, and still remember it as one of our Great Walks, right up there with Everest and Mont Blanc. So, naturally, in 2014, we wanted to do it again.
Oh; did I mention that the AT is the one with a couple/three tidal crossings, and that
one has to plan one's trip, reservations, and so on, in accordance with the tides?

















Me, at the outset, in Marahau; I am laden with 30 lbs, Vicki with 20; we decided this
time to do the campgrounds and not the DOC huts, and so carried a bit more than
we did in 2009; first big difference from 2009


















The scenery, now bush, now beach, always beautiful















Waterfall and pool




























































































The hut at Anchorage Bay; the nice campground was a hundred meters to the left
















View from our campsite; that's a floating backapacka hostel in the center; you
hike during the day, sleep on it during the night; there's no conveyance nor
abode New Zealanders haven't contrived


















Vicki reading her Kindle (what? you don't trek with your Kindle?); second big
difference from 2009: the sand flies were waiting for us
















Strange New Zealand blueberries: don't eat, don't touch, don't even ask...