3+ Days on the Kepler Track

highlights include...

Day 1:
- Breaking through the tree line. Sweeping views of Late Te Anau and Manapouri below.
- Exploring the Luxmore caves (full on stalactites and stalagmites!) with Wannes (sounds like Wallace with an 'n') the Belgian and Martin the German.
- Playing cards into the wee-hours at the Luxmore Hut.

Day 2:
- That's a tough one. Totally socked in all day... no views and rain. I suppose it's good that I never fell, and it was nice that it stopped raining when I reached the campsite at Iris Burn. What can I say... I've been spoiled so far with mostly fine weather.

Day 3:
- Clouds part and sun filters through beech forrest.
- Forrest seems to ooze greenness... mosses and ferns cover everything.

Day 3b:
- Up before dawn to tackle a day hike to Mt. Luxmore (do over of Day 2).
- Hike into and through the cloud layer that hovers over the lakes of Te Anau and Manapouri.
- Rewarded with spectacular panoramic views as the low clouds melt away to reveal Lake Te Anau.
- Reunite with my friend and hiking buddy Edith back at the Holiday Park! (Holiday Parks are like RV Parks in town, where you can get cheap campsites and have cooking, showering and laundering facilities)

PICS: (top to bottom): Moss covered beech forrest on Day-3, Clouds recede off Lake Te Anau with the winding trail to Mt. Luxmore in the foreground (Day 3b).