eNZees Blog

Hiking New Zealand's Routeburn Track - Part 3

by Jill Schuman | May 05, 2016 | 0 Comments

The following is Part 3 of three-part blog series about the Routeburn Track in New Zealand. Click here to read the first.

Hiking New Zealand's Routeburn Track near Queenstown on the South Island

After taking in one final look at the dramatic landscape around the Routeburn Falls, we started our last day's trek through a mixed beech forest to the alpine pastures. It was there that we heard the endless songs and calls of the local song bird, the Kaka.

This was our last day so we took it slow as to take in all the sights and sounds possible. We hiked along the Routeburn River and witnessed some large avalanche slides - the most in our entire 3-week trip. 

The Routeburn River was flowing heavily and we stopped to watch a group of very adventuresome folks Canyoning* down the river, all geared up with super heavy helmets, guide lines. It looked down right unnerving to me!

(*Canyoneering, called canyoning in other parts of the world, is the adventurous act of traveling through steep and narrow canyons using a variety of techniques that can include walking, climbing, scrambling, jumping, repelling, wading, or swimming. Canyoneers usually differentiate between technical and nontechnical canyoneering. Where nontechnical canyoneering generally refers to simple canyon hiking, technical canyoneering requires specialized equipment and techniques to complete the climb safely.)

After watching the group for a bit, I found myself grateful for not agreeing to try this a week prior when we had an opportunity to participate.

routeburn track new zealand

We concluded our amazing and life altering trek at the end of Day 3. It was truly a life changing experience and one that provided me with such enthusiasm to explore, observe and appreciate the glorious world we live in and how one never knows what is around the corner both literally and metaphorically.

 

Tagged: blister prevention, great walks new zealand, hiking the routeburn track new zealand, how to hike the routeburn track, routeburn new zealand, routeburn queenstown new zealand, tramping the routeburn track

Add a Comment

Comments have to be approved before showing up.