We said goodbye to Queenstown and started northwest to Wanaka for a morning hike before heading into the southern alps on our way to the west coast. The stick was a challenging hike up Rocky Mountain in the Diamond Lake region. The carrot was a bit of beach time in Wanaka plus a wine tasting at a local vineyard. The days’ end would be in Makarora, a three building blip in the mountains.
Our run of fantastic weather continues with temps in the mid 20’sC (73F) and the bluest of blue skies. The road out of Queenstown was ridiculously steep with the van never getting out of 2nd gear. Finally we crested the hills and started toward the Cardrona valley.
Just outside Wanaka, which is situated on the huge and beautiful Lake Wanaka, is the Diamond Lake conservation area and the Rocky Mountain track. Our goal was to reach the summit lookout at the top of the yellow trail map below.
As you can see there are serious ridge lines that gave the impression we would be mountaineering versus hiking. The route involved climbing up to the left of Diamond lake, continuing up the left ridge lines and eventually reaching the top. Our return was the right side of the track until they came together just above the lake. The path was very narrow and in thick foliage. The ridge lines were steep and challenging. In some spots it was an 18” wide track and the abyss to your left/right.
There were points where we scrambled up on hands and knees.
And there some points we just had to go around.
Heart rates in the 150+ range for over an hour and breathing frequency that was off most charts meant slow going. Who needs a gym?! Finally we broke through above a ridge line and emerged into a large meadow.
Finally we emerged at the top and yet again, the physical challenge gave way to a picture postcard view down to the various bays of Lake Wanaka.
The walk down was equally difficult but provided some colourful images including a look down on Diamond Lake.
Back on the bus and into town for a brief wander and a photo op by the “world famous tree growing out of the lake”.
Just out of town is the boutique winery Maude. It specializes in a couple of white wines but pinot noir is its specialty. We had six tastings in total, 3 whites and 3 pinot noir. Nice but not the style of wine we’ve become accustomed to.
Back in the bus again for the final leg to Makarora for the night. Blink and you miss it as the lodge we stayed in was basically the entire community. Neat A-frame huts were our rooms although given the fatigue level we would have slept anywhere. And to boot there was a brilliant sunset.
Tomorrow is a killer hike up beside the Fraz Joseph glacier. Ouch already.
The Bennetts On Tour 