Day 1: Routeburn car park (480 m) to Routeburn Falls Hut (976 m)
10.5 km, 985 m ascent, 2:57 moving time
Plus side trip from the hut to Conical Hill (1505 m), 9.4 km, 785 m ascent, 2:59 moving time
Our shuttle from Queenstown to the start of the track had a half-hour stop in Glenorchy. From the jetty we had a view of Mt Earnslaw. We could not complain about the weather!
All smiles on day 1, even going uphill!
Routeburn flats and the Routeburn Falls hut (for us) and lodge (for guided walkers).
The obligatory selfie from the top of Conical Hill.
From Conical Hill you can see all the way to Martins Bay on the west coast, on a good day.
View up the Hollyford valley from Conical Hill.
Day 2: Routeburn Falls Hut (976 m) to MacKenzie Hut (890 m)
11.3 km, 580 m ascent, 3:51 moving time
Heading up from the hut towards Harris Saddle.
Looking back towards the Routeburn valley.
Lake Harris. Conical Hill is in the centre.
Harris Saddle with shelter.
There was some cool cloud below us in the Hollyford valley.
Descending to Lake MacKenzie and the hut.
Day 3: MacKenzie Hut (890 m) to McKellar Hut (625 m)
15.6 km, 640 m ascent, 4:42 moving time
Another glorious day, weather-wise. Snow on the Darran Mountains across the Hollyford Valley.
Earland Falls.
Lake Howden. We stopped at the hut for lunch - a good place to take refuge from the sandflies!
From this point we followed the Greenstone track down the side of Lake Howden.
Flats north of Lake McKellar.
Lake McKellar.
McKellar hut. During the afternoon more and more people arrived, and given that we hadn't slept well the night before due to there being so many people moving and making noise, we decided to pitch the tent outside and sleep in that.
A rock wren that had flown into the hut.
Day 4: McKellar Hut (625 m) to Greenstone Hut (520 m)
18.7 km, 634 m ascent, 4:53 moving time
The morning dawned with a bit of drizzle around, but not enough to bother wearing a raincoat while walking.
The Greenstone valley has its own unique hazards.
This part of the valley reminded me of Fangorn forest (although this wasn't the actual filming location).
The track crossed over a huge shingle fan.
Walking down the valley flats means you can cover some considerable distances.
It's still hard going on the feet though.
Day 5: Greenstone Hut (520 m) to Greenstone road end (325 m)
12.1 km, 535 m ascent, 3:17 moving time
The drizzle was a bit heavier this morning, but was forecast to clear later on.
The sun made an appearance.
We came across this hidden waterfall, which isn't marked on any of the maps.
A really deep pool in the Greenstone River.
View up the Caples valley.
Crossing the last bridge, not far from the carpark.
