The sign heralds the start of the track. Timing our walk on a misty, rainy day was probably not the wisest choice, but at least there was no-one else around. It was a great chance to test the waterproofness of the jackets. They passed the test, and even 'breathed' as promised. A coolish day is probably the best time for tackling the first part of this track - there is a pretty steep climb for the first 20 minutes of the walk. If you have been doing any other form of exercise beforehand you will feel every muscle and sinew screaming out to stop.
If you have too many thermal layers on under the raincoat you will soon be steaming. Years ago we walked this track with our children when they were small, and still have memories of mud, up to the knees. I swear there was a gremlin in there trying to suck us in. Now the track has a gravel-filled boardwalk pretty much to the Lookout Point - tame in comparison.
Fungus flower in the bush
There were lots of fushia in this part of the bush, and ferns lining the boardwalk. Someone had been along with a machete 'trimming' the vegetation - it looked pretty rough. I spotted a strange fungus flower - not sure what it is.
Once we reached the Lookout, we decided to go past the warning sign - in the first video - and kept climbing on the track for "experienced trampers" for 15 minutes until the wind and extreme mist drove us back. Visibility did get worse. Leith Saddle is 1.30 hours up and back, and on a fine day you can keep going to Swampy Spur amongst the tussock to catch the views to the North and Mt Cargill to the East- apparently. Even if you think the weather is fine, this is a track where conditions can deteriorate quickly. Next stop Swampy Summit...
Part one - reaching Lookout Point and looking beyond.
Part two - venturing along the track for 'experienced trampers'.
The Cloud Forests of Leith is the first walk we chose for our walking adventure this year. The plan is to build up to a day tramp then a weekend tramp. Slowly, slowly starting with 2-3 hr walks.So for now, the aim is to walk our way through the Dunedin Tracks and Trails book by Antony Hamel - I'd much rather eat my way through a box of Roses chocs but there you are - cholesterol and cardiac fitness have won out. Not to mention marital team building...only so much togetherness over a box of chocs in front of the telly, and growing fatter together is not an option. Neither of us wants to be married to Michelin man, or woman. NZ top model here I come, yeah sure.
Early Sunday morning we have decided is a good time for walking. Beats a doze, a quiet read and a three course pancake extravaganza in bed - wot who said that? If it is a hot sunny day, the bush keeps you cool, and saves on sunblock (save a penny make a pound). Not too much of a worry so far this summer here in Dunedin in January. Gulp. However, on this particular day.....because it was pretty much all uphill for over 45 minutes, we were hot and sweating by the time we reached the top at Transmission Line road - the Skyline track, aptly named as it goes along the top of the hills. I was not going to admit I was glad to see the sky appear.
On the way there, we passed through some very pretty bush - with a waterfall and the occasional creek - too cold to skinny dip. Next time I will pay more attention to the species of trees, so I can learn, but this time it was a pleasant change to know nothing. All my attention was spent navigating the boardwalks and making it to the top. The boardwalks on the track are amazing, and have been built by volunteers. There are still some bits under development but on the whole it is a comfortable walk, with some strategically placed authentic sections of track where you can trip over rocks and tree roots, and feel like a bonafide tramper. The boardwalk is placed so you can walk and not get sucked into muddy bits never to be found again until the next shift of volunteers comes through.
We found a telephone attached to a tree, heralding telecommunications in days gone by - but it no longer works so the volunteers must all have cellphones now. The view at the top over BlueSkin Bay and the hills is fantastic on a sunny day, and there is nothing as good as chomping an apple while lying down gazing northwards after a strenuous climb. No point going to all the trouble on a misty day. Unless you are into a bit of track maintenance and self-flagellation. The neighboring track to Sullivan's Bridle track and Pigeon Hill was a bit overgrown with gorse at the start so we didn't head that way. Next time we'll bring the machete - for the gorse. Also a good tool for ensuring marital harmony. So back down we went. Apart from discovering some rust in the knee joints, and learning a new way to 'spring' (from Jim) when going downhill, the time down didn't seem to be any shorter. It must have been because of all the chitter chatter of happy campers heading home.
Sullivan's Dam, Dunedin
It was good to see Sullivan's Dam again, and meander along the track around the perimeter. The dam is beautiful from the north end, mainly because it is sheltered from the wind. Whenever you enter the area the wind always seems to greet you at the entrance. When we arrived at the start of our walk, the wind had me wishing I had remembered to bring my thermal top - on Jim's advice I had everything else, thermal leggings, raincoat, snacks, water bottle, gloves....but no top. We saw some fishermen when we first arrived but they had gone by the time we returned. So apart from a few ducks and someone dumping garden waste (must have had a key to open the gate - oops telltale), and a dog all was peaceful.
During the walk, I took three short video clips, hoping to record the adventure, but most of them are blurry. The one taken when we reached the Skyline track at the top is the best, and is the one on here. It was fantastic to collapse in the car and hydrate knowing we could drive home and relax after a reasonable amount of moderate exercise. The 600 ml bottle of water I took was just enough, and I thoroughly enjoyed the new day pack. Luckily I didn't need the raincoat or the thermals but you never know when a survival blanket and first aid kit (and the odd super hero to carry me) might be needed...so next time...we will be good scouts and prepared. The Burns Track/Rustlers Ridge walk is next on the list, if it's dry underfoot.
