After climbing over 4,000 feet, probably more but we have no official confirmation, our editor asked a good question. ‘How can they call it Lower Creek?’ In order to try and recapture ‘her good books’, we answered that we had the option to select the ‘Upper’ hike but in consideration of her aching muscles, we acted like the perfect gentleman. We all know, no one believes that, especially as there isn’t an ‘Upper Creek’, although towards the end we were feeling a little ‘up the creek’. We do try to please her but sometimes we think to no avail.
We could not help thinking during the hike: ‘Blessed are You, Hashem, Who reveals to us a glimpse of Paradise on Earth…again’. There was a strong element of emotion as we witnessed incredible sights. Of course, the Master made us work like the dev… excuse us, sweat profusely to reach incredible heights and highs. As we write often, ‘real pleasure and reward only come with great efforts’. If we may be so forward to say: We put in the work today as we soared to quite an altitude. We don’t like to dwell on certain things but as we scrambled on the jagged rocks at a summit, we reminded ourselves that one slip could put an end to hike-about, or worse. It was a sobering thought, to say the least.
In keeping with our tradition, we made a wrong turn. Why? That’s another story. We found ourselves climbing a steel ladder along the pipes, which we imagine is for the workers who maintain the water flow into town. Nevertheless, it was quite an experience, two hardheads without their hardhats. We turned around when we realized the jungle was not in keeping with the previous path. The added distance ‘warmed’ our muscles for the rest of the journey, which was an unusual one.
We commenced in the open with spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu, the mountains surrounding it, including Ben Lomond, the grand hike we completed last week. After an hour, we reached a forest with the creek flowing through it. Incredibly high waterfalls were everywhere throughout the tramp. We continued the steep climb until we came out of the forest and then scrambled on the rocks to reach a summit. Only at that stage, did the lake return to visibility. Normally, we begin in a forest and thereafter break the tree line—this was the opposite. The track was narrow along the mountain edge, further exacerbated by sloping away from the walls. It is a wonderful trail.
The mountain is part of ‘The Remarkables’ range which is overpowering, jagged, rough in places and sometimes monstrous in size. The mountains, some capped with snow rising from the lake edge, waterfalls, the bluest of lakes, greenery and a multitude of trees combine to provide a formidable landscape—something that could hold its own anywhere. After looking at the scenery many times from lake level, there is no doubt that in order to capture the brilliance of the shape and color of the lake, it is essential to view it from altitude. We feel very privileged again to be undertaking this adventure and to be in New Zealand. B’H.
We have watched the Kiwis (All Blacks) play the Springboks (South Africa) in rugby many times in our early years. Both teams were and still are very powerful. Rugby, if we may add an opinion, is a very tough game. We mention this because much of what we see along the trails is not, as our editor says, for wimps. In a population of only four million, to be the best team in the world consistently, is no mean feat. Well done, Kiwis!
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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