OUTC on the Milford Track
Our Milford experience was 4 days of supreme tramping - we experienced all sorts of weather; The famous Fiordland rain drenched us completely like a never-ending waterfall; we walked over McKinnons pass in icy, stormy alpine clouds and couldn't see a thing. When we got down a bit the clouds started clearing and we stopped and waited. As the sun came through we saw the first bits of mountains and decided right away to run back up to the Pass again. Here we stood on the cliffs and watched how the clouds revealed majestic mountains in front of us, and deep valleys below us. The rest of the day was blue sky and sunshine. It was marvelous!
We had decided to be as adventurous (and cheap) as possible. Therefore we went with two vanloads of people, 14 in all, 8 starting from the Te Anau side (with the famous three hour ferry!), the other 6 starting from Milford going over Dore Pass out. We then crossed each other on the way at Mintaro Hut. Getting out from of or into Milford was done with four inflatable boats that we had brought with us - a rather..adventurous experience. Navigating and moving was difficult but we definitely looked great in the small boats with the backdrop of Milford Sound! Cheers to Fiordland Wilderness Experiences for taking some of our packs across! We had a great and very relaxing time splashing around, much in contrast to the other group who started out in really, really bad weather.
The vikings going across Lake Te Anau to the Milford Track
This looks like the idiots on excursion
It took three hours to get the fire started at the first hut. Everything was drenched and cold, but we recovered after a few games of UNO. After a night at Clinton Hut, we set out in half foggy-cloudy weather that made the mountains and forest look like a mysterious fantasy land
Great scenery
Look at the German gentleman!! Thomas helping Mag over the river
Sharing a cookie moment on the veranda of Mintora Hut, while waiting for the other group (Jake, Rebecca, Felis, Roy, Megan, Cindy) to get there
The tramping club united for one night: Jake, Rebecca, Felis, Roy, Megan, Cindy, Deike, Thomas, Anett, Klaus, Pete, Mag, Erik and me