On the QCT

Five days tramping the 71-kilometer Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds 

Here we go! 

on a so-called Freedom Walk: alone, unguided, left to my own devices – but not without the support of a tour company which, besides arranging logistics, provides an indispensable service along the way: 

Luggage transfer each day by boat

This meant I only had to carry a daypack with enough water and other essentials to get me to that night’s lodging – brilliant!

Phenomenal views in every direction! 

No camping for yours truly... 

Delicious NZ green-lipped mussels harvested straight out of the bays I was admiring all day – doesn’t get any fresher than that

Day 2: Hiking sleeveless...

...and in shorts in February -- sweet as!

 

No, it's not the Caribbean...

...gorgeous Kenepuru Sound

Trampers Wool – ingenious!  Stuff a wad in your sock as soon as you sense a hot spot.  I’m going to export a boatload of this to Switzerland!

Cold beer never tastes so good as after a hot day of outdoor exertion

 

What a difference a shift in wind direction makes!  Overnight a strong southwesterly blew, at times up to gale force; in NZ when the wind comes from the SW, that means it comes from Antarctica….

Day 3 dawned grey and cold -- brrrrr! 

But it was supposed to be dry...

At least I'm getting use out of this gear I schlepped halfway around the world

Into every great adventure a little rain must fall ;-)

Even in these conditions, the vistas were awe-inspiring

 

And it cleared some just as I reached the lookout

This was the most strenuous day: 25 km of undulating terrain over 8 hours…

Crutches threefold: poles, Camelbak, iPod

50 km down, only 21 more to go

Looking as beat as I feel

 

Day 4: rest, recuperation,

and reflection

Last day on the track -- feeling really strong

So sorry to see it come to an end!