Routeburn Track

Day 1

 After having spent the night at Glenorchy, a nice place to stop, having a great pub and good folk, we got on the bus and alighted at the Routeburn shelter.  The shelter comprises of a small open sided wooden frame with a roof – needed when we exited the bus as it was raining!.  After crossing the Routeburn river via the swing bridge we then had a pleasant walk through the beech forest, gently climbing to the point where we ran parallel with the Routeburn river again.  Here the river is clean, swift and bouldery, with deep pools of pellucid waters that just beg to be photographed.  It is about now that you realize why this area is called ‘big country’ as the scale is so large – just looking across the river raising your eyes to the top of the gorge 700 mtrs above makes you thankful you don’t have to climb that high (yet!).  After a short while walking up river the gorge gives way to the grassy valley flats and a gentle stroll bring you to Flats Hut and lunch.  The 100 mtr odd climb done prior to lunch doesn’t really prepare you for the 300 mtr slog uphill to Falls hut but after 90 minutes or so – just as you’re starting to wonder how high the hut actually is you come around the corner and sight it!  Smiles all around.  The hut itself is DOC owned and fairly new, which means booking in advance is essential.  The bunks are plentiful but pretty gloomy.  The kitchen eating area is warm, clean and airy with plenty of gas operated cooking facilities – just beware of taking dripping clothes inside as the resident ranger can get rather grumpy.  The Routeburn falls are spectacular with plenty of observation points.  Oh one other hint – as the bunk houses are communal I recommend taking earplugs to ensure a good nights sleep as some snore as loud a dozen chainsaws going at once.

click here for day 2