Sam had done the tramp with me almost ten years ago so I knew that she could do it, and I also knew that the company that runs the guided walks provided an enjoyable experience for a lot of punters who maybe don't consider themselves full on walkers.
On my trip over I'd already done the North West Circuit, the Hump Ridge and the Kepler almost back to back and had great weather, unfortunately my luck ran out a bit on the Milford.
Day 1 on the guided tramp is about half an hours walk, it had me considering doing the walk in my jandals ( I was even talking like a kiwi after so long over the ditch). The weather on our first day was superb and I even managed a swim under the swing bridge near Glade House. The accommodation and the food are what you pay the money for and on both counts we were happy.
- Sunset on the mountains around Glade House.
Day 2 saw us slowly walking up the West Branch of the Clinton River, the weather once again was warm enough although a bit unsettled, still good enough for another swim though. The walking along here like the rest of the track is stunning with mountains towering above on both sides of the valley which has the nickname of the valley of the perpendicular. That night we slept in our room at Pompolona Hut with the curtains open looking up the valley towards Mackinnon Pass.
- Clinton Forks.
- The weather on day 2 was warm enough for a quick swim.
Day 3 had us crossing Mackinnon Pass. This is the day my luck ran out with the weather although it could of been a lot worse, we basically got to Mackinnon Pass Hut without getting too wet. While having a bit of a break out of the wind it started to *&^%$#! down (an under utilised meteorological term I think). The rest of the day had us descending through an increasingly watery world, after dropping Sam off at Quinton Hut I headed back out into the deluge to visit Sutherland Falls, they were certainly pumping in the rain. The endless hot shower had my skin tingling that night.
- Mackinnon Pass Shelter.
- The weather as we descended to Quinton Hut was a bit on the damp side.
Day 4 and we were heading for the ferry at Sandfly Point. The weather had more or less cleared and we were treated to numerous waterfalls cascading down the mountains lining the Arthur River Valley. We arrived at Giant Gate Falls in time for lunch and a swim, I love this place. The rest of the walk was over too quickly and we were soon on the little ferry bobbing our way across the sound, maybe we will be back in another ten years.
- Mackay Falls.
- On the boat trip across Milford Sound from Sandfly Point.
The guided walk isn't for everyone but for us it provided a great experience, I'm at the stage of my life where I don't mind the odd luxury every now and again.
If anyone is interested I've written up a journal with around 100 pictures on it, http://hiking.topicwise.com/doc/goinfer ... lfordtrack
If you just want a Readers Digest version then I did a post on my blog with around 40 pictures on it, http://goinferalonedayatatime.blogspot. ... aland.html
