Pyke - Hollyford Epic

After six weeks of school I had a most welcomed two week break which stated with a quick trip the West Coast. However, the big mission for the break was a 160km 8-10 day tramp deep in Fiordland. Myself and a fellow flat mate had been eyeing the trip for a long time. The trek stays very low in elevation and stood out because it was long and could be done in the winter. Myself and two mates left Lincoln and drove all night to the trail head, slept for a few hours then started at first light. Eight days later we reemerged. Here are some of the many shots from the trip.

The start. Me, John, and Matt.

Like with most New Zealand tramps it was not long before we were looking at something really amazing. Hidden Falls was not so hidden on this day.

We stayed in 7 different huts along the way. Here's the crew making dinner at dusk.

Matt and I getting into it. The days were long and travel was at times quite difficult.

The hard tramping had its perks. Some serious solitude and sweet scenery.

Matt and John soak it up early one morning.

All smiles from Matt and I. We stayed wet from the waist down for a majority of the trip.

Matt and I going deep...

After some hard days of tamping we made it to the coast.

We stayed at a hut right on the beach and were treated to a wonderful sunset.

Once at the ocean we spent a day walking down the coastline to where the next river came out so that we could continue our loop.

Matt hoping his way to the Hollyford.

Marten's Bay and the outlet of the Hollyford River.

One of the rock reefs near Marten's Bay was said to have a seal colony it. In the afternoon one day we went exploring and with the help of some good zooming I got this little guy in view.

Another night on the beach another great sunset.

The track up the Hollyford was like a highway compared to what we dealt with on the Pyke route. Here I put one of the many three-wire bridges to use.

We had much more free time on the Hollyford leg of our journey, time that Matt and I spent hitting rocks with sticks

The end, soon after this picture was taken we all went for swim/bath in the ice cold river.

All and all it was one hell of a trip and definitely one of my top non-kayaking memories from New Zealand so far. We went and eat some ice cream at Milford Sound and then drove all day and into the night to get back to Lincoln. I'm now in my last leg of school here in NZ which wraps up at the end of October, after which I will head north and explore the North Island...