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

 

[SabsP]

Late afternoon walk.
Orchard.
Sunset.
Mistletoe.

 

[OzAnnie]

Yet another walk along by Dunlaoghaire towards Dalkey. A trifle cold...and interesting: the little video was to catch the sound of the sea,

Arrh. the tranquility of that spot and I like the music too. I would love to be there to share a walk in this area with you. Ireland has so many beautiful areas.

 

[Theatregal]

Are those nests in the trees in the 2nd to last photo, @SabsP ? If it was here, I would think they were Great Blue Heron nests!

 

[SabsP]

Are those nests in the trees in the 2nd to last photo, @SabsP ? If it was here, I would think they were Great Blue Heron nests!

No unfortunately they are mistletoe which is basically a parasite. But from a distance they always look special.

Viscum album - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Kirkie]

Arrh. the tranquility of that spot and I like the music too. I would love to be there to share a walk in this area with you. Ireland has so many beautiful areas.

Bienvenida, chica!

 

[Corned Beef]

Trying out a fully loaded 35L rucksack to see if I need to take anything out. Seemed to be OK but I might feel differently tomorrow. Walked through farmland and past old churches (11th Century) down to the coast [at Birling Gap]. There were more tourists than locals. I thought they were mainly Chinese but it turns out they would likely be Korean as the image of the view is a popular screen saver there.

[Edited for @OzAnnie]

 

[OzAnnie]

But @Corned Beef where ? Is it. ? It’s a lovely spot. Near your home ?

 

[Kirkie]

Arrh. the tranquility of that spot and I like the music too. I would love to be there to share a walk in this area with you. Ireland has so many beautiful areas.

Your reply makes me think of a cartoon I saw in the 70s. I just found a version of it. Each cow, thinking the next field yields sweeter grass! I think every country has beauty…

 

[OzAnnie]

So true - having been there ., it was the memories that your pic evoked … I needed to voice my appreciation.
I agree… even our suburban local walks have their own particular gems to enjoy.
Ps - just to make you smile Kirkie …. My way of saying the long Irish words above are ‘ Dunleery and Dorkey’. Probably not right but as good as this ear can hear.

 

[OzAnnie]

A few days ago (Dec 8) walking in Red Rock National Park just out of Las Vegas NV. USA. lots of trails there. This one was bordering on Ice Box Canyon.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Day 3 Milford Track - the hardest day

Looking back at last night's hut as I leave in the morning.

We are reasonably high up but there are still patches of rainforest.

Looking towards the pass that we climb through today.



The track is now significantly steeper and much less well formed.



Each side of the valley is now close, very steep and showing evidence of prior avalanches and slips.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Milford Track Day 3 - Ascending


Looking down at the vegetation on the ground

Looking ahead

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Milford Track Day 3 - Mountain flowers

A side point, most ANZ mountain flowers are mainly white coloured because there a very few bees in the mountains and so pollination is mostly done by other insects and birds.


An orchid, I think


Not sure about these flowers



Mountain Daisies



That very nice French Canadian hiker again



Flowers along the trail and the trail itself

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Milford Track Day 3 - On the tops


Looking down at where we have walked from.

It is possible to see one of the lodges used by the guided walkers in this shot.

A couple of videos from near the top of the pass
View attachment PXL_20241122_211656711~2.mp4

View attachment PXL_20241122_212141736~2.mp4

 

[Kirkie]

Yet again... a route I take often, visiting a friend in a nursing home. This time, see what I found!

 

[Kirkie]

Can't post the photo I really wanted. When I get home will try if this effort fails