Copland Track

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Playing a little catch-up again, here...

1/24 Yesterday we all hiked the Copland Track; it took us 8 hours. The trek was quite beautiful; much of the bush was large trees covered in ferns. The trail was often boulder strewn and gradually gained elevation. It winds along the river that is a stunning shade of turquoise blue, runoff from the glaciers further up the valley. There are many stream crossings, mostly small ones that you can boulder hop across, and a few larger ones with flood bridges for when the water is high. We crossed one that had a swinging bridge that was long and only one person can cross at a time. Where you place your feet is about 12' across with chain link fencing running under your feet. I think it looks like something from an Indiana Jones movie. Megan and I both thought it scary, though I think Nathan thought it pretty much fun. -Walker

1/24 We had our big packs all loaded with food, clothes, and sleeping bags. It was about an 11 mile hike up to the top where the hut was. It was really pretty. A lot of the hike was through rainforest. There also were parts that were over really rocky terrain- climbing over boulders and jumping off rocks. There were lots of pretty little creeks that we crossed where we could fill water bottles. Some of the trail was alongside a big, very beautiful river called the Copland River. The water was glacier melt, so it wsa a beautiful, bright turquoise color; I've never seen a river that color before. It was really cold and I went swimming in it a few times (well, sort of- jumping in and then right back out just as quickly!) At one point during the hike, we had to go across a landslide (not moving) where the rocks were pretty loose and it was a little bit scary because we were so high above the river. Also we had to cross 3 bridges that were made of wire fencing and cables and they were scary to walk across. By the time we got to the hunt, we were all really worn out..... After dinner we went and sat in the natural hot springs. From the springs, there were spectacular views: rainforest behind us and huge mountains in front of us. After we got too hot to sit in there any longer, Nathan, Tim {a man from Canada} and I went down to the freezing cold river... Tim and I jumped in and out a few times. - Megan

1/26 {In Queenstown} we ate a Maori buffet-style dinner: Vegetable soup, corn, peas, lamb, chicken, fish, mussels, kumara {Maori sweet potato}, pumpkin, and some other stuff. After everyone was done eating, the concert began. The haka was a traditional dance to intimidate the enemy; when they would sing a certain word, all the men would stick their tongues out and try to look as ugly as possible. They called all the men and boys up (including Dad'n and Nathan) and taught them the haka dance. It was so funny watching D&N doing the dance and making the ugly faces; Mama and I were cracking up and taking lots of pictures of them, and gloating because we didn't have to go up there. Then, they called all the women up onto the stage. Mama and I couldn't believe it: I shouldn't have made so much fun of them! All we had to do was a Maori version of the Hokey Pokey, saying all the body parts in Maori. -Megan

1/26 We went to a Maori buffet and show.. I had corn, chicken, peanuts, potatoes, and some other normal food. I steered away from the exotic soup and other foods. Later, the dancers/singers started their show... they were really intense and exciting. Later, they asked for all the men and boys to come on stage. My dad and I nervously filed onto the stage, along with 12 other guys... I was the only boy. They then proceeded to teach us the Haka, an intimidating dance to scare the enemy in the olden days. It was really funny. Then while Megan shot tons of pictures we all flexed our muscles, beat on our chests, and stuck our tongues out. We then went off the stage and my sister started talking about putting the pictures she took on the website. While she was talking, one of the women told all the ladies to come to the stage. I laughed triumphantly imagining us putting pics of them on the website!!! They did a modified version of the Hokey Pokey, where they used Maori words for body parts. We had a great time! - Nathan

All for now!

Doug