Day One Kepler Tramp

The first nearly 9 KM is along the shore of Lake Te Anau. We passed the Control Gates that are part of the vast hydro electric lake system. The track all the way is in very good shape and not like our usual bushwacking in the Sooke hills. The climb then begins up to the bush line (tree line) through a forest of mountain and red beach, with Kamahi and some scattered Rimu and Miro. (I put this in for those who are biologists or arborists).  We passed limestone bluffs and then welcomed the panoramic views of the Te Anau basin, Takitimu mountains and the Snowdon and Earl Mountains. The Luxmore Hut (1085 Meters) was about a 45 min walk from the bush line. It was a relief to complete this first day with a total climb of about 800 meters. One’s legs were quite sore having perhaps unwisely done a 15 KM hike two days before in Queenstown.