Four walks at Hanmer Springs in one week
Asmall group of the Tower Trampers from Christchurch were very optimistic to go tramping in August to Hanmer Springs, using this as our base to venture further.
Tui Track - St James Walkway - Mt Dumblane and Lake Daniels were four trips done in one week at Hanmer Springs.
We definitely had winter conditions but we were prepared to walk only a couple of days due to weather.
Tui Track
We first went to the Nina Valley but on arrival the clouds were thick and full of rain, we did dare to get out of the car but quickly made the decision to go back to Windy Point (Hope Kiwi Track).
That was a much better decision as the weather was cold but sunny and clear, for now.
We started walking a little later than usual as we had changed our destination. We had been to the Hope Kiwi Track before but never walked to the right on the Tui Track part of the Te Araroa Trail (The Long Pathway).
We had winter conditions with a muddy track now and then and of course a stream to cross.
Our mate Kishor was a very wise man as he just went ahead and crossed and then he knew we would definitely follow. If he had stopped I am sure we would have turned back as we would not have wanted wet feet, our feet soon warmed up as we just kept walking.
We still walked for at least two hours, one way, and wanted to head up to Doubtful Valley to the hut but knew we would run out of daylight and were yet to return so we headed back and will definitely do this walk again to venture further.
St James Walkway
Our plan was to stay the night at the Magdalen Hut on the St James Walkway but our lodgings at Hanmer Springs were just too good, so we walked into the Magdalen Hut and back in a day.
We were concerned about the river crossing but it was fine, rather cold though.
We had plenty of mud and plenty of humongous horse poop but as usual we just carried on as we were focused on making it to the hut.
It was a very nice winters day and we had lunch at the hut and had
taken the billy with us so we had a couple of very hot cups of tea which was well deserved.
The scenery was so amazing and we could not have picked a better day. It was one of the longer days
as we were away for seven hours plus. The great thing about the walk is that there was no pressure and if we wanted to go back at any time we certainly could. You could walk as long or as short as you would like.