Lazarow World-Hike-About

The previous blog (scroll down) deals with some of the statistics and adventure of the 'tramp'. It's interesting to note that two weeks before we set out on the Kepler Mountain Range, the snow was chest high on the ridges. Of course, it's summer in the southern hemisphere. Then again, this is South Island, New Zealand. One more point before continuing with the hike pictures for Kepler and stories from this country. We are living in Manapouri in a motel that overlooks one of the finest views we have ever seen, the lake of the same name containing many islands and multi-mountains as a backdrop. Furthermore, from our bed, we look directly at the peak of Mount Luxmore (4,829 feet), the place we sat earlier in the week. I think that's amazing although the editor thought the description too strong. I re-thought it and still consider it amazing. We're off on another trek for three days in weather expected to be: Heavy rain . How exciting! The other side...

The commencement point of the Kepler Great Walk (hike) from Te Anau. Weighed down with heavy bags, 3,000 feet to ascend to reach Hut One, Luxmore. Looks like we'll have to camp and sleep during the day, hike at night. Had we brought a shovel, we might have levelled the sign. 101…102…195 …and so on until perhaps infinity. That’s the number of peaks we saw of the Kepler Range. Fortunately, we only had to ascend and descend a few. The hike begins at lake level, the colossal Te Anau, one of many bodies of pristine water in this country. For 3.5 miles, we meandered along the side of the beach and then took a left turn. We headed 3,000 feet higher, broke the tree line (not on purpose) and made our way along a crest for another two-and-a-bit miles, finally arriving at Luxmore Hut, our residence for the night. We left for the 'tramp' at midday Sunday, returned a little after midday on Tuesday after completing twenty-seven miles and accumulating 6,000 feet in elevatio...

The 'Youngster's getting braver by the day. Loved the presence of clouds again, particularly the way they interacted with the mountains. We reached the junction of Skippers and Coronet Peak Road. To continue on Skippers, it is necessary to have a four-wheel drive or at least, not to be in a hired car. The insurance policy prohibits driving on such roads. The other road goes to the ski area. As we were not intending to ski for a few reasons, one being no snow in New Zealand but for that on some of the highest peaks. So we ‘paaaked the caaar’ close to the intersection and headed towards Mount Dewar, some 1,500 feet higher. The views once again were spectacular. For the first time since we began hiking in the region, the sun was blocked by clouding. However, the cloud formations were interesting and continued playing interesting games with the mountains. By the time we completed the hike, a large part of the sky covering Queenstown was clear. Once the sun ...

We are in New Zealand, a while now, but close off Hawaii with our last morning's early rise. For our last morning in Hawaii, we headed to the Pillbox in Kailua for some exercise and of course, a sunrise. The previous day we had walked up, down and over sixteen hills along the ridge facing both the ocean and city. The position of the sun, as will become obvious, changes the scenery immensely. However, you knew that. On Golden Pond or maybe 'bronze'. 'Morning has broken, light the first... There's the first appearance. The next appearance. The town and mountains behind us. Even dead plants come alive when touched by sunrays. Camera allows for recording of only one color. Everything appears so gentle and calm. A large and colorful sky. Early morning calm at bay while background anything but gentle. It's going to be another hot winter's day on the island. A contrast with Manapouri Lake at dus...