Where do ( did ) you walk locally in 2024?

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Wonderful story (article?) @DoughnutANZ. As for the Milford Track being the "finest walk in the world" I haven't seen enough others to call that true but it is the finest backpacking trip Peg was ever on. I have trouble rating things but it certainly is at the top (but we had good weather, not the usual). BTW, we walked almost exactly eight years ago.

The land to the west of the lake was considered too steep to be of any value and so was left in it's natural state. This land now forms Fiordland National Park at over 1.2 million hectares. This park is the largest in Aotearoa New Zealand and comprises around 5% of ANZ's total land area and is one of the largest national parks in the world. As an example of it's size, the two largest national parks in the USA, together, easily fit within it's boundaries.

I think you are forgetting that Alaska is part of the US and has national parks. Even the state owned Adirondack Park in northern New York state is twice as large as Fiordland National Park.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Day 1 Milford Track


This looks simple!


The first "lodge", used by guided walkers who get pampered, fed, coddled and if necessary, helicoptered out. Not for the likes of me.


The first of numerous suspension bridges.


Signs that we are in a rain forest with lots of mosses and lichens







It is raining lightly and the numerous waterfalls start appearing.

Our hut for the first night, recently rebuilt because the last one was mostly destroyed in a storm. The kitchen has gas hobs, the showers are cold water and the toilet is a long drop.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

The area around the hut and a look at the nearby hills and mountains that we will tackle tomorrow.View attachment PXL_20241121_041054445.mp4

 

[Kirkie]

Yet another walk along by Dunlaoghaire towards Dalkey. A trifle cold...and interesting: the little video was to catch the sound of the sea, but my hearing aids are linked to my phone, so that is the piece on the medley when I took the scene!
View attachment IMG_3264.mov

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Day 2 Milford track

The track is still reasonable although much narrower and with deep drains either side of the track to handle the heavy rain. It is hard to see but the track is angling upwards as we start to climb.

Mosses and lichens are still prevalent as we gradually gain altitude.

Crown ferns are only found in this part of ANZ


The trail follows the river at this stage.
.
Everywhere there are smaller streams and tributaries that feed into the river.

Sometimes the tributaries cross the trail

And at other times the tributaries are the trail!

The steep sided valley, carved by the glacier narrows and spectacular waterfalls are ever present.

The pass lies ahead.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Day 2 Milford Track

The path has become steeper and less well formed. The mountains are close.

Waterfalls abound

Some close and others further away

The Beech forest have given way to smaller shrubs and ferns as we gain altitude.



Time for a lunch stop with some Wekas

Then it is back on the trail which is now much more technical

Yes, this is the trail. Just ahead of me is a very nice French Canadian hiker from Quebec

This area is obstructed with large debris from an avalanche that happened some time ago.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Day 2 Milford Track
Avalanches are a danger at this time of year (late Spring in ANZ) and there are warning signs like this all along the trail.


The trail is much steeper now and there are occasional ice patches on the side of the trail in shady areas

The mountains are close and dominate every view




Although water and waterfalls are ever present