South Coast Track (Fiordland)

South Coast Track Fiordland NZ: Wairaurahiri to Rarakau

Following our gruelling walk to the Waitutu River, we had a rest day at the WaitutuLodge (http://www.waitutu.co.nz/ on the Wairaurahiri River to pamper Della’s knee and socialise with the delightful caretakers. Well restored we said our farewells to Rose Baldwin who had made us a delicious dinner the night before, and set off to conquer […]

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South Coast Track Fiordland NZ: Wairaurahiri to Waitutu

After a delightful night at the Waitutu Lodge (http://www.waitutu.co.nz/) we headed out towards the Waitutu River at 9:30, plenty of time for the 5 hours the sign at the Wairaurahiri Hut (and the DOC brochure opined), we thought. Little did we know that the signs at the Waitutu River pointing back where we were coming

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Yams (Oxalis Tuberosa)

OCA (Yams = Oxalis Tuberosa): Pete & Rose Baldwin at the Waitutu Lodge (http://www.waitutu.co.nz/) were growing these prolifically in their vegie garden. I had never seen them before, but obviously they would grow equally well in Southern Vic. I will be planting some this year: http://greenharvest.com.au/Plants/Information/Oca.html PS: I did so and they grew prolifically. See: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/root-vegie-pots-no-dig-no-weed-growing/

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The Next Hiking Adventure Begins!

The next hiking adventure begins! Heading off today to conquer the South Coast Track of New Zealand for 6 days with only our backpacks and stamina. Stay tuned for pics and reports when we return to civilization. (NB this pic is an old one of Steve and I attempting to conquer the south coast track

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Trick Knee

Things have been conspiring against our upcoming Fiordland hike. We survived the dreaded Lurgi only last week. Yesterday my trick knee decided it would show me a couple of new tricks (just after I had booked the flights!) and is still having conniptions this morning. Still I have completed a number of long walks with

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Bucket List: Westie’s Hut: South Coast Track Fiordland NZ

BUCKET LIST#1: Westie’s Hut: built in a sea-cave at Price’s Harbour on the South Coast Walk Fiordland New Zealand. Stunning views. Approx six hours up the ‘marked trail’ from the Waitutu River, four days in from Tuatapere; this is our goal for our current hiking ‘project’:http://www.doc.govt.nz/…/things-t…/tracks/south-coast-track/ And we did it! See also: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/dusky-south-coast-tracks/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/fiordland-2014-2/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/a-walk-in-fiordland/

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Planning to walk the South Coast Track

05/04/2015: LURGI: This weekend I begin to know something of the man’s suffering as a misspent youth hanging around The Cross (like too many others today!) Della brought home the dreadful Lurgi from some crafty misadventure or another. She suffered with it most of last week taking to her bed until she finally (generously) imparted

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NZ Topo Maps: App for Hiking in NZ

  We are now using this App New Zealand Topo Map by Mason Blackwood : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.mbit.topo&gl=US It is free and really simple to use. Simply download and open it then (while you are online) scroll through the area of interest at the magnification you require and it will load it onto your phone (both topo

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Insects can ruin a camping trip!

Insects can ruin a camping trip. You need a Repellent which works. These guys are the solution. There has been a move by the touchy-feely crowd to bombard us with ‘natural’ ones which will see you eaten alive. Be warned. The product must have Deet (not so much it melts your raincoat, but lots). And

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