Date: 22 December 2014
Distance: 60km (some sources give it as 67km – I would love that to be the case!)
Time: 11:58
At the Kepter Track car park, rearing to go, and with our smiles perhaps hiding a bit of panic about what lay ahead.
The early morning sun rising over the lake.
The lush green surroundings in the still flattish section next to Lake Te Anau.
About two-thids up the mountain you pass the limestone bluff.
Just out of the treeline, shortly after 8:00 in the morning.
Tussock on the mountain with the small town of Te Anau far in a distance.
A fairly easy section of a couple of kilometres before you reach the hut.
Luxmore hut where we stopped for warm clothing, filled up water bottles and empty bladders.
Still feeling strong despite a cold wind.
Some rough terrain makes the going slow.
These avalanche sections and slips are quite scary.
When running/walking on the spine of the mountains, the drop to either side is rather steep.
Despite it being overcast, we still go lovely views.
On top of the world!
Gerry taking a breather and quenching his thirst.
The little path on the ridge stretches for miles and miles.
These mountain-top sections are quite exposed, but breathtakingly beautiful.
Mountain running at its finest.
It is amazing to experience sweaty heat, cold and snow all in one day’s outing.
We spotted this kea at one of the shelters on the mountain. Beautiful birds, but quite a menace.
Nearing the end of the section above the tree line.
Assessing the damage after my fall. The “egg” started to wobble when running so I wrapped it up with a Buff.
A huge slip down a valley made for difficult conditions underfoot.
Back in the luscious green forest.
Following the Iris Burn.
One of the many little bridges on the way, ensuring we could go through the run with dry feet.
Iris Burn hut was already far behind us when we ran through a bog.
A little stream crossing.
When you start seeing monsters, you know you need more hydration!
Beech tree forest to shelter us from the relentless sun.
I was clearly not dressed in the right colours for a scorchingly hot, sunny December day.
Some welcome shade back in the forest.
Crossing the wetland.
And a tricky swing bridge.
Back onto the path next to the Waiau River.
Not far to go now, but we were both quite knackered.
Happy and relieved to have made our unsupported traverse without any major problems.
4 days after the fall. Still quite swollen and rather sore.
4 days after the fall. 50 shades of green-purple-yellow.
6 days after the fall. Blood filled my sweat glands to cause the “spotty” look?
10 days after the fall. Still quite sore, but starting to look better.
Things don’t always go according to plan. But sometimes they do. This self-supported run had a bit of both.
We were booked to hike the Kepler Track, a 60km circular route, over Xmas with family. And so I thought to myself, why not run it a couple of days prior to the hike? Luckily it didn’t take much convincing to get Gerry on board as we thought it would make for a great last long run before the Tarawera, and we needed to test our hydration and fuelling needs for these kinds of events anyway.
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