Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Key Summit On The Routeburn

We did the entire Routeburn Tramp in 2009, and a bit of it just a few days before now. But Vicki wanted more of it, particularly a chance to see more of the Alpine scenery we missed in the lousy weather of 2009. So, on the way back from Milford to Te Anau, we stopped at the Pass and did the Key Summit day hike, which is an off-shoot of the Routeburn. The weather was fine, it was a good trail, and we extended the hike way out on the ridge to see all three of the lakes, Marian, Gunn, and McKeller...the significance of which is the three watersheds you can see from Key Summit, one going to the Tasman, one to the Antarctic, and one, via Balclutha, to the Pacific.
On the way we stopped at the Chasm, the major upshot of which was seeing this
bird's-eye view of a large tree fern
















And these waterfalls near Homer Tunnel















Beautiful little waterfall and pool near the beginning of the
Routeburn, west side





















From the Routeburn/Key Summit hike, Mt. Christina














New Zealand dragonfly















More alpine scenery















Ditto















Greenstone all around; near the great fault between the Pacific and Australasian
plates (OK, I was only a C student in geology)

















Lake Gunn (or possibly McKeller or Marian)















Lake McKeller















Definitely Lake Marian















Another panoramic shot








More alpine scenery















Vicki celebrates; the Routeburn was her bain in 2009, followed by knee
replacement surgery, rehab, and now, lots more hiking; pretty impressive!

















The Key Summit marker, which allowed us to locate some of the upper reaches
of the Routeburn
















There, right of middle, above bush-line















There, closer up















And there, close enough to make out the switch-backs


1 comment:

Tawana said...

So jealous of Vicki's knees! Great photos...loved the fern and dragonfly.