22-Dec-2014
We drove a couple hours southwest into the foothills of the Southern Alps. These are really pretty big mountains. If you didn’t count the first 5000 feet that the Rockies start at these mountains would rival ours. Barb had found a “difficult” hike to Mount Somers. It is a 6 to 8 hour out and back hike. Well we did not do the whole hike we did a 4 hour out and back and made it to the summit of Stavely Hill. Which was our goal. It was a very nice hike but was quite difficult. Very steep and sustained with a lot of rocks and tree roots in the path. But it was a rewarding hike. The views were quite spectacular.
Barb slogging up to Stavely Hill.
Stavely Hill summit.
Mount Somers summit. Stavely Hill is off to the left.
On Stavely Hill summit.
25-Dec Christmas Day
Our hosts/landlords invited us to join them for their traditional Christmas barbecue. A Christmas barbecue? What’s with that? It was very fun and our hosts were wonderful. We got to meet part of their extended family and the food was delicious. Sorry we did not take any pictures.
26-Dec Boxing Day
The day after Christmas is yet another holiday called Boxing Day. I don’t remember all of the countries that celebrate this holiday but most of them are British Commonwealth countries. The holiday, we learned is traditionally a holiday for the servants and workers who had to work on Christmas day. The bosses and masters of the houses would give the servants and employees a box of gifts and food for them to say, thank you and enjoy the day off. Well it was a beautiful day and everyone was out to enjoy the holiday. So were we. We drove to Victoria park which is just 15 minutes outside of town. We did a nice couple hour hike.
View of Lytteton Harbor from our hike.
My hiking (tramping) buddy.
27-Dec
We had a great day today. We drove back out west into the foothills of the Southern Alps and did what is called the “Cave Stream” hike. You walk through a cave that is over a 1/3 of a mile in length that has a stream running through it. A VERY cold stream. It’s a very fun hike. The cave averages about 4 to 5 feet in width and opens up into some wider areas with side passages. The stream had carved the limestone cave over millions of years so the walls are very smooth and look a lot like the slot canyons we have in Colorado and Utah. It is really not that difficult of a hike as the rocks on the floor are stable and not slippery. And the cave walls can be used to brace yourself. We knew to take our headlamps which was the only source of light. A couple of times we turned them off and IT WAS DARK. The only down side was driving home in wet cloths. Next time we take a change of cloths.
The cave entrance.
This was probably the most difficult section. It was one little passage where you had to step up about 3 feet but the water was really rushing through the narrow section. It took a little doing to get through it.
Barb making her way up through the tough section.
The end of the hike. You climb up a fixed ladder and along a 30 foot shelve
The cave exit.
Hiking back up to the car.
The surrounding hills. Looks like the Hobbit.
These are really big mountains.