Routeburn-Caples Track - November 30 - December 2, 2004

On our second trip to New Zealand, we toured the South Island while Winter's stronghold on the country had extended far into late Spring. We had booked to hike the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand's finest walks, but the Routeburn had been closed because of avalanches on the passes. They reopened it the day before our booking - and it closed the day after we hiked out.

Day 1: Routeburn Track trailhead to Lake Mackenzie

1640 ft - 3280 ft (4265 ft Harris Saddle), 15 miles

On the way to Harris Saddle in snow storm

See the day's trip description here.

Day 2: Lake Mackenzie to Upper Caples camp

3280 ft - 1640 ft (1960 ft at Lake McKellar to 3280 ft McKellar Saddle), 15 miles

Before starting on the Caples Track (it looked so harmless from here...)

See the day's trip description here.

Day 3: Upper Caples camp to Caples-Greenstone trailhead

1640 ft - 1150 ft, 9 miles

The clouds begin to lift after a very wet morning tramp

See the day's trip description here.