It was overcast this morning as we arose to face the day. It looked like rain was coming to Wanaka. But as the sun rose, the clouds began to melt away and it looked like today would be a great hiking day!
Ron and I decided to head out to the Rob Roy Track and take a 10 Km hike into the mountains. The 54 Km drive was half gravel road, with the final 10K full of washouts and even a small stream crossing! As I mentioned before, Kiwi's have domesticated Deer and Elk, with all of them now being raised on farms and harvested like cattle. For the males, the animals are sedated and the Antlers removed when they are in Velvet. Along the way to the trailhead, there were miles and miles of Deer and Elk in pastures like herds of cattle back home! Thousands of these animals are raised in this area alone! I have never seen so many in one place. It was a very interesting drive!
We found the trailhead and parked. The trail was well used and clearly marked. We soon came upon the swinging bridge that crossed over the Matukituki River. It was narrow, about 100' long and swinging nearly 30' above the glacier fed river below. It was old but is scheduled to be replaced during the first three weeks of April this year. We were fortunate to have been able to hike the old bridge before it fell!
We met several Trampers along the trail as it was a great day to be out and about. "Trampers" are "Hikers" to us. Kiwi's have a way about the language that makes me smile!
It was a moderate hike with a lot of harder uphill hiking. The trail made its way ever higher, chasing a roaring glacier fed stream, until we arrived at the overlook point. We sat down and had a peanut butter sandwich as we gazed upon the beautiful face of this pristine area! I counted 13 waterfalls cascading hundreds of feet down off the grand Rob Roy Glacier. The Glacier was awesome! It was huge! During the Ice Age this Glacier connected with two other glaciers, and extended far down into the valley. As they receded, melting away over the years, the Rob Roy has but a small overhang now. But though its "small", it is a huge glacier to us.
It was a great hike, getting to see more of God's creation in NZ.
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