Routeburn Track – 15th-17th March 2022

It was with relief that 8 UHW&TC members put on their packs at 11am on Tuesday 15 March ready to begin the truely magnificent scenery along the Routeburn Track.  We were of course sad that due to Covid one from our original group had to pull out a week prior.  Two others amended their intended route and due to health reasons walked IN and OUT along a section of the track starting from Routeburn Shelter. Consolation being that the Routeburn is a New Zealand Great Walk and will be there to explore another time.

The DOC website  (great walks.co.nz) and brochures/videos describe in detail the terrain covered in this 3 day (2 night)  32.1km  walk.  I will highlight a few of the features our group experienced.

Covid was always lingering in the back-ground in our lead-up preparations;  uncertainty always being would Covid restrictions affect our travel arrangements, accommodation, shuttles and of course the over-all health of our group both before, during and after the Routeburn.   Volumes of data was prepared on the website by DOC and the Dept. of Health on all aspects of avoiding catching Covid and managing symptoms both while at home and away.  Our group held a special  Covid  meeting to ensure the safety of our group while away from home.  We even carried an extra PLB should more than one person become unwell through Covid.

Routeburn has been described as the BEST OF THE GREAT WALKS and in the bright sunny ideal conditions we experienced it certainly ranked EXTREMELY HIGH.  My husband and I who are fortunate to have walked ALL of the others recognise that EACH GREAT WALK has it’s unique features that make them all SPECIAL.

The huts and flush toilet facilities on the Routeburn were AMAZING;   quality of track great even if in parts we had to clamour over sections of tricky sharp rocks. Talks given by DOC Ranger each night were inspirational. None of the Great Walks should be tackled by INEXPERIENCED/UNFIT walkers. These are mountain tramping tracks and pre-training is essential both for the enjoyment and survival of individuals. Our group had prepared well and no one encountered any difficulties.  A memorable Routeburn enjoyed by EVERYONE.

Helen Bassett