When I was woken up in the morning of the Milford Track we took our time on getting to the Ultimate Hikes store. The Milford Track is a big backpacking hike in a valley and over a mountain with spectacular views. When we arrived we made sure everything was ready, then we hopped on the coach and fled from ultimate hikes and progressed to the Milford Track.
As soon as we departed from the coach we took a beautiful ferry ride to Milford Track. On the way there we were able to see Enormous mountains coming straight out of the fiord. Once we arrived at the Milford Track we had a short walk to our first lodge, the Glade House. Once we arrived we had a ten minute break then took a big group photo. After the photo we did a gentle optional nature walk up to a river. On the hike we learned about the mosses, fungus, bushes, trees, water, and animals. One of the things we learned about were the stoats. The Stoats were introduced to New Zealand because there were to many rabbits in NZ, which they also introduced to NZ because the settlers wanted it to feel more like England and used for meat. The only mammals in NZ originally were 2 different kinds of bats.
Day 2 of the Milford Track was our first real hiking day. When I woke up I was freezing cold because we didn't have a heater or we weren't wearing many layers. Once we were up and ready we headed out the door and had 10 miles in front of us. One of the most spectacular views were when we came out of the rain forest and opened up into a big valley surrounded by huge mountains and some waterfalls.
After 10 miles arriving at the next lodge, the Pompolona lodge we chilled played some games, got cleaned up, and ate dinner.
Day 3 was our huge hill climb! Todays stage wasn't just a hill climb it was also 9.5 miles through the stage. The beginning of the hike wasn't too bad but once you get to the switch backs, thats when it gets tiring. Once we finally got to the top and hiked a little to the lunch spot we had the most fantastic view, even from the loo. After a tortuous hike up we now had to hike down even steeper terrain than going up before!
Arriving at Quintin Lodge from a long grueling hike down felt great! When we arrived we were taken to our room, then Mom decided to hike the optional hike even though both of our feet were killing.
Day 4 was our final day hike! But it still wasn't an easy one. It was our longest day with us having to walk a half marathon with a backpack that weighs at least 20 pounds!
The first part of our hike at least went quickly with not much scenery to see. Once we were hiking again we then stopped to watch some of the people in our group jump off a bridge into freezing cold water that was some where around 30 feet.
Our lunch spot was beautiful. At our lunch spot there was a little gray beach, river running beside us, and a big waterfall right in front of us.
After lunch we had only a few more miles togo until Sandfly Point where we would finish our hike. On the last moments of our hike we had our last fresh breath, and one of the last looks of the Milford Track.
When we finished 33.5 miles of the Milford Track we felt accomplishment and took the ferry over to a small town, Milford Sound,then to a hotel where we slept for the night.
Day 5 we were leaving and taking a quick flight to Queenstown, but first we took a boat around the Milford Fiord and to the Tasman Sea. On the ferry we could see seals, dolphins, and great views.
When we were dropped off at the hotel, we first said good bye to all our friends. Then Mom and I slowly made our way over to the airport where we would fly to Queenstown. On the flight we were able to see the Milford Track, from Sandfly Point to the first lodge, the Glade House.
As soon as we made it off of the airport in Queenstown we rented a car and went skydiving! The company we were skydiving at was named Nzone. Our skydive had almost no safety instruction. Once we were suited up, in the plane, and flying to altitude that is when I got really scared. And when we were at altitude my tandem instructor ripped the sliding door open and we both flung out the plane doing a backflip at around 12,000 feet! As soon as I was stable thousands of feet in the air it felt better. When we pulled the shoot we had a slight jerk then glided smoothly in the air.
When we checked back into the Rees Hotel we did our blogs then headed into Queenstown for dinner, ice cream, and to pick up our skydiving videos and pictures. After dinner we walked over to Patagonia's, where we got our ice cream.
As soon as we got back to the hotel I looked at our footage, finished our blogs, and watched a movie.
As soon as we got back to the hotel I looked at our footage, finished our blogs, and watched a movie.
Me Sky Diving over Queenstown
Mom Skydiving
Me dropping out of the plane from 12,000 feet!
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