Mirror Lake

A bright and early start , we make a packed lunch, have brekkie and hit the road at 7.30.

Its a bit chilly but the spectacular scenery keeps my mind off it, you warm up very quickly so I didn't bother with too many layers. A big climb starts right after Mintaro hut, over Practice hill. It's really incredible to see all the angles of the snowcap mountains & the lush green valley.

The 360 views at Mackinnon's Memorial is absolutely worth every bit of the effort. I did the usual jumps with every possible majestic angle. We saw some Kia's which almost flew into me. They are known to have the intelligence of a 3 year old, and they work in pairs to nick peoples boots etc. (P.S. kia is a type of bird) Kelly, the guide, had some Milo ready on top of the mountain. Ultimate hikes really have the finer touches in the middle of nowhere.

After lunch we made our way to Clinton lodge, it is a very steep downhill with more dramatic scenery and waterfalls. My legs are dragging a bit towards the end, I find the uneven rocks & descent hard on my knees.

We arrived at the lodge just after 2pm, had a quick breather, dropped our packs and made our way to Sutherland waterfalls, the tallest In NZ. The water forces it's way down the mountains into a magnificent water orchestra. I manage to find some reserve energy and ran the last few miles back.

Riverdeep mountain high! A breathtaking day in nature with Roedolf.

P.S. The food is on par with the scenery. I was pleasantly surprised, I expected basic meals, but they serve gourmet meals with NZ hospitality. It's a treat after a long day of walking, especially the dinners. I mean mouthwatering stuff like fresh wild mushroom soup, grilled salmon with asparagus and almonds, ribeye steak, creme brûlée, fresh baked croissants one morning. All dishes are made from scratch, cooked per order.

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