The Adventure Continues... 
Part III

Greenstone / Caples Track (70km) 27-29 April

Next morning we headed for a rendezvous with the "Kingston Flyer" and enjoyed a wonderful train ride from yesteryear.

Day 1:    Carpark to Upper Caples Hut.
We began this great walk on another rainy day.   Passing the confluence of the Caples / Greenstone rivers and on to Mid Caples Hut.  The track crossed a spectacular gorge just before this hut.  We had an unplanned rummage through our packs looking for our hut passes, when we came across a DOC hut warden at Mid Caples Hut.  DOC staff were busy pulling out of the area with the summer season over and although we weren’t staying in this hut, she wanted to check our passes were in order -  that over, we continued on  up the Valley along the Caples River to Upper Caples Hut for the evening.  The robins kept us company along the way, popping out of the trees to say “Hello”, and have a dig around our feet.
Day 2:    Upper Caples Hut to Lake McKellar Hut
We followed a stream up to the beginning of a very steep ascent up onto McKellar Saddle where it was quite misty.   Following the boardwalk over the saddle we settle down for a relaxed lunch, enjoying the great views across the valley.  Then we continued down the equally steep descend to a very swampy part of the track just before Lake McKellar.   It wasn’t long before we passed the Howden Hut intersection.  Not far past this intersection I stepped into what I thought was a small puddle and ended up stuck in mud up to my middle!!  Steve had to tug hard to release me from the muddy depth into which I’d half disappeared! Walking along the side off Lake McKellar, I decided a quick dip would be a wise move.

At Lake McKellar hut we were lucky enough to meet two hunters who’d been successful in their days hunt.  After a most entertaining evening, they were happy to send us off the next day with some fresh venison. 

Kingston Flyer

South Island Robin

Day 3:         Lake McKellar Hut to Greenstone Hut
The day was a beautiful sunny one and we took full advantage of the sunny deck at Steele Creek Lodge, where we spent an hour or so relaxing.
Greenstone Valley was spectacular.  We passed through another gorge before the ascent up to the new Greenstone Hut.  The view from this hut is just lovely.  Being our final night our great leader had devised a game of balloon volleyball (you read it right!), with which we had so much fun.  He also bid farewell to his faithful boots - gone to that boot heaven in the sky!!
Day 4:         Greenstone Hut to Carpark
The fog hung heavy in the air as we headed away from the hut and back out along the Greenstone River to the carpark, where we were again meet by our support crew.

Our final evening was spent at the Glenorchy Motor Camp where Rodney had to do his little speech before we headed to the local pub for our final farewell dinner.  We were told the locals would not appreciate Rodney's humour..  what's wrong with some people???  I couldn't see a problem myself...  he has such lovely legs!!

"Thanks to all the Trampers and Drivers, for the Memories", and special thanks to Rodney for organising such an awesome trip.
Written by:  Claire Marshall

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