So Josh and I did our second multi-day trip -- the Kepler Track. Now. This was the trek that I saw pictures of online BEFORE we came to New Zealand and I said, "I don't really care what other hikes we do, I just want to do the Kepler at some point..." So when we were back in Auckland a couple months ago we booked it for this past week. We had to book far in advance because these "great walks" fill up very quickly. The problem with that is that the weather here in New Zealand is totally not predictable... except that it is unpredictable. So, the morning we woke up to do the Kepler Track we saw nothing but dark grey clouds and raindrops on our windshield. The lady at our hostel told us you just have to commit and do it once you signed up for one of these hikes and assured us that it would still be just as wonderful... just a different kind of wonderful... which, in the end and looking back... it was.
We started off on our adventure and it was wet. Very very wet. But by the time we made it past the bush line it wasn't too bad and was quite pretty actually. Cool grasses/fields overlooking the fogged over lake. The hut was really nice - warm fire and great views.
The next day was the bummer day - this was the day you walk about 4 hours on the mountain ridge line - totally exposed with incredible views... all we saw were clouds clouds clouds. It was slant raining, so the left side of our bodies were soaked and it was a LONG 4 hour hike on the ridgeline followed by another 2 grueling hours of steep downhill switchbacks... so it was a long day. We were to be camping that night but once we heard there was room in the hut and an option to upgrade, I made Josh do it (thanks dad - I told him "Would my dad want his only daughter to sleep in a cold wet tent after 6 hours of hell???" I'm one for the melodramatics. :)).
The 3rd day - the last day of our hike - was blue skies. OF COURSE. Curses! It was our longest hike (about 15 miles out) so we were thankful for the sunshine but come on - one day earlier would have been nice. Needless to say, we still had a great time and we just saw a different kind of awe-inspiring beauty... mine was beauty through pain (my knees are killing me!) and Josh experienced beauty through playing survivor man... he made it through and kept me alive. Good job husband! :) Next on the list - the Routeburn Track. Like 1/2 the distance but more ups and downs... forecast = sunshine (HOPEFULLY)...
Huh. Well faithful viewers, I can guarentee there was no violation of youtube terms and/or conditions... no nudity or violence or bad language even! Just bad weather on the kepler track. It seems I have a bone to pick... hmmm....
The Story: We were married in 2006, and have moved from Santa Barbara to New Zealand to the Bay Area and then back to Santa Barbara. We have two gorgeous daughters and are documenting some milestones along the way here on this blog.
Mama: homemade chocolate chip cookies, nordstrom, the west wing, margaritas, recipe tester, and bedtime story professional.
Dad: kayaking, tools, burgers, beer, mountain adventures, and tickle monster extraordinaire...
Toddler: running, singing, jeggings with sparkle shoes, dancing, laughing, and being the best big sister...
Baby: cooing, smiling, sleeping, and stealing our hearts one day at a time...
So Josh and I did our second multi-day trip -- the Kepler Track. Now. This was the trek that I saw pictures of online BEFORE we came to New Zealand and I said, "I don't really care what other hikes we do, I just want to do the Kepler at some point..." So when we were back in Auckland a couple months ago we booked it for this past week. We had to book far in advance because these "great walks" fill up very quickly. The problem with that is that the weather here in New Zealand is totally not predictable... except that it is unpredictable. So, the morning we woke up to do the Kepler Track we saw nothing but dark grey clouds and raindrops on our windshield. The lady at our hostel told us you just have to commit and do it once you signed up for one of these hikes and assured us that it would still be just as wonderful... just a different kind of wonderful... which, in the end and looking back... it was.
We started off on our adventure and it was wet. Very very wet. But by the time we made it past the bush line it wasn't too bad and was quite pretty actually. Cool grasses/fields overlooking the fogged over lake. The hut was really nice - warm fire and great views.
The next day was the bummer day - this was the day you walk about 4 hours on the mountain ridge line - totally exposed with incredible views... all we saw were clouds clouds clouds. It was slant raining, so the left side of our bodies were soaked and it was a LONG 4 hour hike on the ridgeline followed by another 2 grueling hours of steep downhill switchbacks... so it was a long day. We were to be camping that night but once we heard there was room in the hut and an option to upgrade, I made Josh do it (thanks dad - I told him "Would my dad want his only daughter to sleep in a cold wet tent after 6 hours of hell???" I'm one for the melodramatics. :)). 
The 3rd day - the last day of our hike - was blue skies. OF COURSE. Curses! It was our longest hike (about 15 miles out) so we were thankful for the sunshine but come on - one day earlier would have been nice. Needless to say, we still had a great time and we just saw a different kind of awe-inspiring beauty... mine was beauty through pain (my knees are killing me!) and Josh experienced beauty through playing survivor man... he made it through and kept me alive. Good job husband! :) Next on the list - the Routeburn Track. Like 1/2 the distance but more ups and downs... forecast = sunshine (HOPEFULLY)...
2 comments:
wow...were you guys doing something illegal on your video?? Why was it removed?
Huh. Well faithful viewers, I can guarentee there was no violation of youtube terms and/or conditions... no nudity or violence or bad language even! Just bad weather on the kepler track. It seems I have a bone to pick... hmmm....
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