Author: melmalinowski

  Overlooking the coastline and beach at Pololu Valley. John Winter, my trusty geologist hiking buddy. Honokane Nui valley overlook. Bench courtesy Paul Arthur. Photo: courtesy Punynari Pretty, rocky trail. The Bamboo forest. Trail down into Honokane Nui valley is very steep–requiring ropes on some of the 70% grades. This picture does not convey just how…

  Arthur’s Pass, central South Island, New Zealand. Elegant highway bridge. Up on Arther’s Pass (mid-South Island), a nice little day hike. Typical braided glacial river valley. You see shallow surfaces roots often, due to the thin soil layer over glacial rock. Bealey Top Hut. It has a colorful past. And a colorful interior. I…

  Over the river and through the wood… On the way back, I saw lots of rocks floating down the river. Rocks?? So I picked one up to take home. Pure, crystal clear glacial ice, probably hundreds of years old. Tasted great!

December 2015 First, you make an hour long drive up a gravel road from Wanaka, fording numerous streams (if the water flow allows). To the Raspberry Creek Parking Lot (trailhead). Mt. Aspiring off in the distance. On our way to the Aspiring Hut. Up the valley next to the glacial melt stream–bridge to Rob Roy…

  Routeburn track is east of Milford Sound. I never tired of watching the myriad waterfalls. Made it to Lake MacKenzie! Lake MacKenzie is lovely, looks almost like a Japanese stone and water garden. Beautiful, yet cool enough you want a layer. Climbing out along one side of the valley. Climbing up toward Harris Saddle.…