Lazarow World-Hike-About

'Through the looking glass. We suggest clicking on a photo for perspective After some early grinding, a really steep climb, today. Lake Hawea joins Lake Wanaka closeby Editor is a little 'edgy'—great view down but not too secure Most fortunate to be perched there Peaked Setting the scene. Looking towards 'our' peak. Put one's mind into a certain mode and the beauty overcomes one, it can be overwhelming emotionally Tomorrow’s a travel day so we decided on one more hike before the rest. “Go easy on us,” we pleaded with our editor. She selected what appeared to be an unknown hike of relatively short distance near Lake Hawea. “Apparently,” she informed us, “it could be a little steep but short.” After a late start, we reached the peak of an incredible hike with some of the best lake views we have seen. The climb was also was one of the steepest we have undertaken in New Zealand. We would rate it as simply ‘great’. Our muscles were a little sore at the...

Curtain opens for a first glance at this spectacular sight Rob Roy Glacier Jenni comes out of the forest It's advisable to click on a photo A good resource for finding interesting and sometimes the best places to visit is fellow hikers. Rob Roy Glacier, part of the Aspiring mountain range, is a wonder we tried to hike some years ago but apparently lost our way. If nothing else, we are consistent. That’s what Jenni says, the ‘losing our way’ bit. However, it seems impossible because Mount Aspiring is at the end of the road. One drives on this highway from Wanaka and it literally ends at the mountain. Simple. The challenge is that for forty minutes, one ‘glides’ on a ‘washboard’ gravel road—that’s tough—which includes cattle grids and fords. Otherwise, it’s plain sailing. Let the water flow—we counted at least 30 waterfalls in just one area As an aside , we met a charming couple on the Milford Track who are from Sri Lanka but live in Hamilton, that’s on the North...

Out here, it's not an upside-down world Bridging the relationship Each night in the huts , the ranger on duty practices his or her stand-up comedy routine. It seems to work as the audience is pretty tame—most are tired and dirty or focusing on the meal. Nevertheless, things like safety measures have to be mentioned, eco issues as always, of course and other odd items including a little education. Some of the rangers are funny with humor that is often very dry. On the last night, we loved the comments from Ranger Jenny. “In case of fire, rush out onto the helicopter pad. We’ll have a group hug and then figure out what we should do from there.” We liked that. Rutherford Falls We find that we have a new zeal in this country. Okay, okay. We just thought if the rangers do it, why not us. Thus far, everything we have experienced has either been a wonderful physical challenge and/or magnificent beauty—usually both simultaneously. However, there is one negative in the Fiordlands. ...

( Due to technical issues, hike 25 was omitted. It will follow soon.) Consider clicking on a photo to get better perspective. Jenni deservedly elated at being a little high One of multiple great views of Lake Wanaka It feels like the top of the world Much steeper than it looks When our editor pauses , puts down the red pen and uses superlatives at machine-gun rate, then a person sits-up and listens. She is the cool and collected team member not prone to outbursts of emotion like her mate. As she likes to remind us, our favorite hike of all time is…at least ten hikes; our top ten comprise at least thirty, at last count. She makes a good point. On the trail today that reached over 4,000 feet into the sky, 16 kilometers return, strained countless muscles, wore out our boots but lifted the souls while filling our brains with images that will remain burned into our memories forever or at least, until next week, if we can remember. Here comes the editor, full of enthusiasm Ever...