Routeburn great walk. Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks. 20th to 22nd December 2008

	Saturday the 20th of December 2008 we started the Routeburn great walk in Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National parks. We got off the bus in the rain at the Divide on the Milford road. It was cold for summer but I guess not for Fiordland
Views from Key summit where a bit limited by the low clouds. Not many photos on the first day because of the rain.
	We arrive at Lake Mackenzie in the afternoon. The lake is moody and the surrounding mountians are hidden by the clouds. We put on some dry clothes, find a spot in the crowded hut to sleep and then set about exploring the area around Lake Mackenzie hut.
The waters of the lake are like mirrors reflecting the scenery.
	The forest is mostly beech and it seems that everything is covered in moss and lichens.
Sunday morning the rain has gone and we get to see the mountains surrounding Lake Mackenzie hut. The waters of the lake are so still this morning reflecting the surrounding forest and mountains.
	From Lake Mackenzie hut the track starts again through the forest. After about an 30 minutes we clear the tree line and get the first of the days amazing views. The vegatation changes from the moss covered beech forests of the lower valley to that of the more open alpine tussuck. If you look closely you can see Lake Mackenzie hut in the bottom of the photo opposite.
Before long we are looking out over the Hollyford Valley across at the Darrens mountain range.
We could see all the way to the ocean at the end of the Hollyford valley.
I love the plants in New Zealands Alpine areas. It always amazes me how such beautiful and seemingly delicate plants can grow in areas that are covered in snow for part of the year.
We reach Harris saddle just after lunch. Drop our packs at Harris Shelter and climb to the top of Conical Hill. Its a steep climb. The views from here are quite spectacular. On one side the Hollyford valley on the other side views across lake Harris toward our eventual destination of the day Routeburn Falls hut.
180º views from the top of Conical Hill.
Wow today was a long day but the weather was fantastic. If we'd been a day earlier we'd have come across Harris saddle in the rain and not have seen much of the amazing scenery. We finally make it to Routeburn Falls hut. See the falls above. This hut is huge and has great views down the Routeburn River valley from the balcony outside the bunk rooms.
	Our 3rd and last day on the Routeburn is spent mostly in the forest as we head for the end of the track following the Routeburn river. Lots of side streams and small waterfalls and beautiful green forests.

Tongariro National Park September 2008

Mount Ngauruhoe

Southern Crater

Mount Ruapehu