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The Heaphy Track is an 82 kilometre (50 mile) well maintained and easily graded hiking trail that runs across the northwestern corner of New Zealand's South Island. I flew into Westport, thence a 100 km shuttle bus ride up to the start of the Track on its western end. The Great Walks fee of NZ$14 per night gives free use of the huts along the way.
It was nearly mid-summer, so sunsets didn't come until after 9 pm, leaving many hours of daylight for hiking. The dreaded sandflies did make their appearance as soon as I began the Track, but the repellents were up to the task of keeping them at bay.
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The Buller river emptying into the Tasman Sea at Westport, where I arrived by air on Dec 16th |
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Starting out with my tramping companion and teaching colleague, Geoff |
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Geoff with Nikau palm trees along the coastal section of the Track |
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walking through the palm fringed coastal section |
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Here I am on day 1 as we headed north along the seacoast |
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After 6 hours we arrived at the Heaphy hut |
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The evening sunset was awesome |
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crossing the Heaphy River |
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On the 2nd day we walked for 7 hours and gained 2500 feet before arriving at the Mackay Hut |
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amidst the tussock on the Gouland Downs |
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Day 3 was an easy, mostly level walk onto the Gouland Downs, arriving at the Saxon Hut |
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Saxon Hut, complete with gas stove, wood stove and mattresses |
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the 4th day dawned with a light drizzle that kept up all day |
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stream crossing on the Gouland Downs |
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Drying off and enjoying a book in front of the fire in the Gouland Downs Hut |
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On the 5th day I walked for 4 hours downhill from the Perry Saddle Hut to catch the 11 am bus |
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