Te Araroa 20/01/26

Day 121, Camp Stream Hut to Tekapo (2444)

It was cold last night but there was no frost in the morning, a pleasant night in the hut.

Leaving Camp Stream Hut 

A foot spa in the morning 

My feet didn't stay dry for long, I carefully avoided the boggy bits but then had to wade the river before climbing up to a plateau that I walked across for about fifteen kilometers.

Last good views of Mount Cook 

The views were not like yesterday, the mountains were cloudy and further away but I really enjoyed it not too hot or cold and the breeze behind me.

Looking back to the first part of the walk 

It was a lovely, level walk, dry ground and an easy trail to follow, ideal walking.

Amazing 

A few clouds made it interesting 

Golden Speargrass, the sharpest plant I have ever come across 

Good path on the plateau 

Lake Tekapo looking blue again

All good things come to an end though and I descended to the long gravel road to Tekapo.

Fourteen kilometers of gravel was plenty and I was happy to see Tekapo getting closer. I wasn't prepared for the number of campervans and people though, it is obviously a major tourist attraction and peak holiday season.

The long, long gravel road 

I had managed to book an overpriced bed in the hostel, which was full like most of the other even more overpriced accomodations.

Looking back wistfully to the hills 

The view of the lake from the hostel was good despite the parked campers but the village itself is really just a car park with tourist shops and cafes.

I organized a bike to ride the trail to Twizel tomorrow, it will make a change from walking.

Evening light over Lake Tekapo 

And a cloud on the hill

It was a fine night and there were some good pictures of the Aurora Borealis taken here but I had gone to bed and nobody saw anything special with the naked eye anyway.

Picture taken from Tekapo with the comment: 'sadly not this bright to the naked eye'