December 27th : Rob Roy Glacier
Our first day was a steady climb through beech forest to majestic hanging glaciers and waterfalls in the steep sided Rob Roy valley.
December 28th: Fern Burn track/ Roy’s Peak
Through the beautiful Red Beech forest of the Stack Conservation area. Another party climbed 1600m Roy’s Peak for stunning views across Lake Wanaka. One member remarked it took three litres of water for this climb in hot sunshine.
December 29th: Blue Pools and the Blue-Young Link track
This turned out to be a great choice in the heat of another 30c day. Delightful river flats and silver beech forest with a swim in the crystal clear waters of the blue pools. It was not possible to stay in for more than a few seconds!
December 30th: Meet the out party coming into Lake Hawea
A lake front walk along the Hawea portion of the Te Araroa trail.
December 31st: Sawyer Burn Track
Another blue sky day with views from Sentinel Peak across Lake Hawea to the township and Isthmus Peak.
January 1st: Kidd’s Bush Conservation area
Walking down from Sawyer Burn hut to Kidd’s Bush campground on the shores of Lake Hawea. Skimming stones on the glassy lake.
January 2nd : Isthmus Peak/ Timaru River
The grand finale- a great way to finish the week from the top of Isthmus Peak. Views of both Lakes - Hawea and Wanaka – and Mt Aspiring in the distance. The weather was cooler due to high cloud making this a better climbing day. A second group did a loop walk up the Timaru river.