7.15 & 7.16 Tiki Trail to Upper Gondola Station & Ben Lomond Peak Trail
After 75 minutes climbing, we spot Ben Lomond peak As we rise steeply, we look to the side and are amazed Editor has doubts about reaching peak All is forgiven at peak—Ben Lomond After little sleep , a bout of pining for Mom, we decided to hit the trails with vengeance. Of course, that’s when the problems commenced for one of us. Not only did we choose a double hike, it was arguably one of our toughest. Tough and strenuous, tough and strenuous but so beautiful. The views of the New Zealand Alps, from the peak and even well before, were outstanding. Add in the snow-capped tops, the blue water of Lake Wakiputu, a forest in the initial stages, batches of proud trees standing like soldiers the rest of the route and a backbreaking climb combined to form the ingredients of heaven on earth notwithstanding the struggle upwards. Are we showing off again? Apparently! Right leaning editor A knock-out “I don’t know how I let you talk me into skipping the gondola and hiking ...