Tramping again - St James Walkway

It has eased with the rain AND we've got a good forecast for a few days, so we've begun the St James Walkway in the Lewis Pass area. Five days and 70km.

First day is a gorgeous day's tramping through open countryside following a river with beech forest and open planes with snow capped mountains surrounding. Beautiful sunshine today, so tramped without icebreakers. Lots of little suspension bridges to cross as well as the fording of a few streams, and a nice hut this evening, almost to ourselves. Fire going in the woodburner stove and cooked chicken curry pasta with added green beans, salami and carrot! Beautiful view from the hut window, looking out over snowcapped valley.

Day 2 and we're on our own all day through some gorgeous alpine scenery, all day through the valleys with views of the mountains... Climbed over the Anne Pass into a new valley... and best of all, the hut to ourselves in the evening, a nice raging fire and a warm nights sleep in front of it.

Day 3 and again, we're on our own, until we meet a couple from the Czech Republic who were running the track (having arrived by mountain bike!). Still lovely weather as we descend into another valley, though tonight the hut is full - it's labour weekend! The St James is on an old Station that has been taken over by the Dept. of Conservation, but still has cattle and horses living almost ferral lives - the horses have started to deliver their spring foals, even though it's freezing everynight.

Day 4 we wake up to a heavy frost and a shorter day's walking. Crossed a river and went to the base of an old avalance... then spent the rest of the day sunbathing by a river, and taking a bush bath in the freezing river. Busy night again at the hut...

Day 5 and it's a fast five hours to the trailhead to get a lift back to where we left out little van, then to Greymouth for a rest in a motel! Alltogether a fantastic walk, best yet!

More pics here!