I had been at Te Anau for a couple of days prior to setting off,while the weather was spectacularly good, but the day I started the tramp the forecast was for rain and developing storms. (Perfectly in keeping with my previous tramps up mountains in rain!).  My boots were already giving me some trouble so I was expecting an interesting time of it!

The track started out flat, following around Lake Te Anau until Brod Bay, where the uphill began. (By uphill I mean just over 1,000 meters up!) The weather was still fine at this stage and it was a forest climb until the bluff (see photo), where I tramped very fast going under the overhang with small rocks coming down at times.  Once out of the forest and on to the Alpine section the weather suddenly became gale force winds and drizzle, so on with more layers and a slow tramp against the wind to Luxmore Hut.

I wanted to stay at this hut for ever, perched on the mountain with 360 views of Lake Te Anau and snow-capped mountains.  

Day 2 was along the ridge line, which included the climb to Mount Luxmore at 1472 meters. This was by far the longest and hardest day, and the downward section to Iris Burn Hut was extremely long and arduous. One consequence was 4 blisters and squished toes – yes, new boots are being bought.  Four of the other trampers did not make it to the hut that night, becoming too tired and instead bunking down in one of the emergency shelters. 

Day 3 was a forest walk, where a deer was heard crashing through the forest after being disturbed by myself.  Day 4 was following the river and through the large slip from 1984, to finish back at the start.

I am going to come back and stay at Luxmore Hut for a couple of days and to repeat the summit climb in sunshine, although the weather was much better than forecast, with only light drizzle when I was there. All in all a fabulous trip that has only whetted my appetite for more mountains tramps! - with a new pair of boots though.

Susan Rogers