The Milford Track (53.5 kilometres) is in the heart of spectacular Fiordland National Park, Once described as the finest walk in the world, the Milford Track is one of New Zealand’s most popular walks (therefore you need to book it 6 month in advance like we did), with approximately 14000 people completing the Milford track each year.
The huge valleys that we've see throughout the trek along the Milford Track are the result of glaciation over the last two million years, these glaciers carved there way through the landscape leaving behind these U-shaped valleys , ice-gouged ledges and the hanging valleys of tributary streams.
This track takes 4 days, at the first day we were sailing in a ferry which took us to the starting point of the track, from there we walked for 2 hours (5 KM) to our first hut - Clinton hut, there we spent our first night.
The second day: 16.5 KM , 7 hours
We gradual climbed from Clinton Hut as the track follows the Clinton River to its source, Lake Mintaro, at the base of Mackinnon Pass. It passes through sections of forest and crosses many streams, The track passes through many avalanche paths.
for Efrat this day was the hardest day, since it was her first time walking with the big heavy backpack (12Kg) on her for so many hours.
The Third day: 14 KM, 10 hours
For This day starts with a well-graded, steady, zigzag climb of about 550 meters in altitude to the Mackinnon Pass, On the way there are excellent views of the lakes and Canyon, from there, the route drops 970 metres steadily over rocky, uneven terrain and provides spectacular views. The track follows the river, on which there are several waterfalls, every one of them is more beautiful than the other.
The side trip to the Sutherland Falls is well worth the effort, it is about 1½ hours return (6 km) to the highest waterfalls in New Zealand - 580 meters high. we did it without our packs which were left in a shelter.
For most of the people, this is the most difficult day in the track, but for Efrat it was easier than the day before, probably she got used for the heavy pack.
The Fourth day: 18 km, 6 hours
We don't know why, but for some reason, somebody decide that the transportation ferry from the end of the track to the main road will leave at 14:00 - so early in the day, that make all of us wake up early and walk very fast with out many stops, it was still beautiful to notice MacKay Falls and Bell Rock (intriguing rock, which has been worn by water and grinding stones and then tipped over in a rock fall), and to walk alongside the Arthur River and around Lake Ada.
Sandfly Point was our last and final stop for this walking track.
The ferry took us along Milford Sound - The so very impressive Fiord, probably the most touristic place in New Zealand.
The weather in this track was vary, in the first 2 days, it was sunny and nice, the following day (which considerably to be the most impressive day) unfortunately it changed to cold and rainy which caused a low visability. The last day it continued to have occasionally showers.
Have fun,
Efrat and Yoni.
Our Photo Album: http://picasaweb.google.com/yonifln
Our Movie Library: http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=yonifln
No comments:
Post a Comment