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I joined New Zealand Nature Safaris for a 10 day trek down the West Coast of the South Island.
Link to New Zealand Nature Safaris:
Link to the West Coast Trip:
In addition to the guide, there were 10 other hikers.
Guide: Nick Groves
Hikers:
- Vera Browne, UK
- Karen Greenslade, UK
- Sarah Willett, UK
- Jason Dent, USA
- Karen Shrode, USA
- Matthew Hatvany, Canada
- Guy Vingerheets, Belgium
- Marlies Veenstra, Netherlands
- Marc Cherix, Switzerland
- Vreni Kurmann, Switzerland
Day 1
Assemble the group for a 4 hour hike to the rock shelter where we will be spending the night.
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| Day 1: Reviewing the Map After Lunch |
Day 2
Hike up Gordon's Pyramid
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| Day 2: Vera and I Comparing Backpacks |
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| Day 2: Group Photo Near Sinkholes |
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| Day 2: Karen in the Forest |
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| Day 2: Gordon's Pyramid, Marc and Marlies |
Day 3
In the morning after visiting the breeding seal colony at Cape Foulwind we started a two day hike up to the massive Ballroom
Overhang.
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| Day 3: Cape Foulwind Sign Post |
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| Day 3: Focus Creek, Nick and Vreni |
Day 4 -- The Day of Caves
After a very short walk from the Ballroom, we dropped our packs for a short hike to an underground stream. The
plan was to swim through the dark cave to the other side. Everyone gasped when they entered the icy water. Because
the water was so cold, I found it difficult to breath. After a short numbing swim, we made it to the otherside took
a quick look around and returned. Once out of the water, it took a few minutes before I could feel my feet again.
We returned to our packs and headed down river for several river crossings. Most of them were only up to the knees,
but there were a few times when the water was up to my waist.
With the river crossings finished, we scrambled up a steep ravine to another cave. This cave was filled with stalactites
and stalagmites.
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| Day 4: Nick Points Out Another Bird |
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| Day 4: Nick Preparing Another Story |
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| Day 4: Pancake Rocks |
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| Day 4: Pancake Rocks, Matt, Jason, Karen S., Marlies |
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| Day 4: Marc and the Van at the Campsite |
Day 5
The Franz Josef Glacier
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| Day 5: Franz Josef Glacier -- Jason, Vreni, Matt, Marc, Karen S, Karen G, Vera, Marlies, Guy, Sarah |
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| Day 5: Descending the Franz Josef Glacier |
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