Mt Fyffe

Inland from Kaikoura lies Mt Fyffe and the surrounding reserve.  There are several good multi-day hikes here, as well as a great view from the alpine hut on the saddle nearest the summit.

There it is in the distance.  We are hiking up to the flat ridge to the left of the main peak. 


We started up, and already it was getting warm (for NZ).  The wind was from the North, so humid land-warmed air was carried along the coast.

Not much to see at first, as the regrowth of the forest was well on its way, blocking the view. 



The flowers, as always, proved a good distraction for Jen.










The cicada-like bugs were prevalent and quite loud.  The steep track had us dripping sweat in no time, with no breeze to speak of.  We reached the lower saddle, and took a break for some lunch, called some family, and enjoyed the breeze.


We continued up and enjoyed the deep valley below.  Carved by glaciers and marked by land slides, it was quite interesting.












With the heat, we decided to turn back about 25 minutes from the hut. On the way down, we found the original lookout we had been searching for, but had walked right past!  Here is a view out on the Pacific Ocean.  Featured here is the Kaikoura Peninsula.




On the way down, this enormous Dragonfly buzzed my hat.  It felt like a chopper making a low pass overhead.  A few minutes later it landed on Jen’s leg.  This is a large specimen, as they are usually a bit smaller. 



We finished our day at a nearby NZMCA campground.  I got around to patching a cracked taillight.  Check out all that Australian dust!



Jen started a borrowed puzzle.  They had some strange board games.