Tuesday, 6th February 2007
The main places of interest for today were Key Summit and Milford Sound but we also had brief stops at Mirror Lake and The Chasm. We also had an unexpected of opportunity of a helicopter flight to land on snow fields.
Mirror Lakes between Te Anau and Milford, reflecting parto f the Earl Mountains . . .
and reflecting its own name
En route to the Routeburn Track
Tarn at Key Summit with Mount Christina in the background
Posing for the photographer
and again
From the bridge at The Chasm
Trips 'n Tramps bus
Glacier en route to Milford Sound after Key Summit walk
Our boat for the Milford Sound cruise
Mitre Peak named because of its resemblance to a Biship's Mitre, rising 5,551 feet
Heading out into the sound the scenery is stunning. Lush rainforests cling precariously to the cliffs
A glorious day but cold out on the water
New Zealand fur seals enjoy the sun . . .
on the way out . . .
and on the way back. They lie in windy areas to keep the sand flies away.
Stirling Falls is one of only two permanent (year-round) waterfalls in Fiordland National Park's Milford Sound.
At 508 feet high, it is the second tallest.
Bowen Falls, 531ft, spouts over vertical faces from a hanging valley
Heading back to Milford
Our helicopter lands in a lay-by near the Homer Tunnel
Then it's up and away on he most exciting ride
We can look back to Milford Sound and just see the Tasman sea
We deabte the possibilities of walking this ridge . . .
but don't even think about this one. We just hope the pilot changes course soon
The peaks and snow fields are really spectacular
The we can see the col where we are going to land
A close up view of Mt Tutoko, at 9,000ft the highest in Fiordland
In the distance the recognisable peak of Mt Aspiring, at 10,000 ft, can be seen
It really is warm enough for T shirts
Time for fun . . .
in the snow . . .
but I hope he doesn't leave without us
On our way back we spot Lake Marion
then check out the Hollyford Valley, one of the great treks
Hollyford Valley