Raine: we’ve had a great day hiking in the mountains …our trail took us beside a river which was so wide, clear and inviting as it rushed over the stones on the river bed. We chose the hike that was medium: I’m so glad I didn’t go for the hard one! This trail took us across log bridges, over boulders and tree roots and at times on stepping stones at the river’s edge. The flowers along the way were lovely, many we see at home such as clover, shepherds purse, thistles, choisya and dandelions. We saw butterflies, birds, lizards and a bee.. 

eventually we arrived at a waterfall that fed the river from the snow melt on the mountain: it was spectacular. We followed it up a few levels, but didn’t get to the top as we’d been walking for 4 hrs and had to retrace our steps. At the end of the walk we had done 20 km about 12 miles and we were both shattered.

Paul: We climbed up through a natural old growth forest of Nothofagus (southern beech). This is one of the few locations of these old growth forests. We met a few people doing the trail, many were going right over the mountain range. Several days hike. They were either camping on the mountain or using the mountain refuges. 

Lots of pictures coming up:

Start of the trail

A sort of lily growing wild

A magnificent nothofagus

Mountains 

Intrepid 

Rickety bridge 

Still looking fresh

Beautiful river

Stunning 

Mountains 

High peaks

The lichen was amazing. Complex lichen like this is the sign of very clean air

Choisya growing wild 

Still some snow on top

Small waterfall

Gorgeous 

Beautifully clear water

Cooling off on the way down 

The happy hikers