The Heaphy Track is 78.4km long. Starting on the edge of the Able Tasman National Park, then transverses the Kahurangi Natonal Park to the Tasman Sea.
8:15hrs:. We were picked up at Nelson YHA.
It was not long before we were driving through some spectacular scenery, as we drove through part of the Able Tasman National Park, to Collinswood for a drop off. With no time for a break, we were off again, towards the start of our tramp, as it is called in New Zealand (we would call it rambling in the UK, the Ausies would call it bush walking and the Americans call it hiking). The last 30km to the car park at the start of the Heaphy Track was on a gravel road, not an easily accessible car park, but we arrived there at 12:40hrs.
A short walk to BROWN HUT for our lunch.
Then we started our "tramp", along the side of the Aorere river, before crossing the Brown river as we followed the Track.
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| Top transport |
It was not long before we were driving through some spectacular scenery, as we drove through part of the Able Tasman National Park, to Collinswood for a drop off. With no time for a break, we were off again, towards the start of our tramp, as it is called in New Zealand (we would call it rambling in the UK, the Ausies would call it bush walking and the Americans call it hiking). The last 30km to the car park at the start of the Heaphy Track was on a gravel road, not an easily accessible car park, but we arrived there at 12:40hrs.
A short walk to BROWN HUT for our lunch.
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| Sue, Ron, Tom, Wendy, Bob, Shannon, Liz, Rosemary and Ira. |
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| Aoerer Shelter |
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| Weka bird |
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| Just having a short break |
Then we started our 6 hour tramp to PERRY SADDLE HUT. It was hot and sticky as we started our climb.
We had a short break at AORERE SHELTER (at 800m), where we saw our first Weka birds, they are about the size of a chicken and very tame, as they are a protected bird, as all the birds are.
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| Flanagans Corner. Look out for flesh eating snails, they eat mainly large worms. |
We climbed (915 - 130) 785m to Flanagans Corner, which is the highest point on the Track at 915m, from there we walked off Track for 5min to a near bye lookout, before dropping to 860m at PERRY SADDLE HUT, where we spent the night.
As this is the first tramp that I have ever done, and the few nights I had camping as a scout 50 years ago did little to prepare me for what supplies I would need.
I made a conscious decision to travel light, and carry as little food as possible. Even so my ruck sack cut into my shoulders as it was really heavy (not as heavy as Shannon's, who had decided to do her weekly shop before the tramp and take that with her. I did feel obliged to help reduce Shannon's load, by eating her supplies - thanks Shannon).
The small foldable cup was not big enough for a brew. But Tom lent me his large plastic mug - thanks Tom.
Rosemary passed on her used tea bag, as I had not taken any. I thought I would just have water, not a good idea. - thanks Rosemary.
Sue had some spare peppermint tea bags that she did not like, so she kindly passed them on to me. I hate peppermint tea, but was very greatful to Sue for the tea. I can now drink peppermint tea, but it is still not my first choice. - thanks Sue.
I made a conscious decision to travel light, and carry as little food as possible. Even so my ruck sack cut into my shoulders as it was really heavy (not as heavy as Shannon's, who had decided to do her weekly shop before the tramp and take that with her. I did feel obliged to help reduce Shannon's load, by eating her supplies - thanks Shannon).
The small foldable cup was not big enough for a brew. But Tom lent me his large plastic mug - thanks Tom.
Rosemary passed on her used tea bag, as I had not taken any. I thought I would just have water, not a good idea. - thanks Rosemary.
Sue had some spare peppermint tea bags that she did not like, so she kindly passed them on to me. I hate peppermint tea, but was very greatful to Sue for the tea. I can now drink peppermint tea, but it is still not my first choice. - thanks Sue.
Sue Facebook Photos
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