WEEK SIX

17^th November

Mot Potts to Mesapotenia (29kms)

We woke to a beautiful clear day and awesome views.   We headed on down to Mt Potts River and then on down and picked our way across Rangitata River.  There was lots of gravel and areas of grass and scrub.  We were most relieved to find lots of little shallow braids.   Once across we went across lots of matagouri and arrived at Mesopotenia.  There was lots of boulders and gravel, so hard going for the horses so good it was a short day.  We stayed in the Rowan home, which was the original homestead, and put our gear in a beautiful old stable.

It was beautiful scenery all day, and the mountains with a touch of snow looked awesome.

We should’ve been celebrating with a wine for safely crossing 3 big rivers, but thinking of the pack horse, we just had a coffee sachet each.

18^th November

Mesapotenia to Royal Hut   29.9km

We rode through lots of deer, and passed a big forestry block and sections of beech forest. When we looked back our view was beautiful right back to Mt Potts and the Rangatiki river. 

 We also saw avalanche damage to deer fences done in the winter, which pulled huge posts right out of the ground close to stone hut. 

 We rounded a corner we could see Felt Hut and a huge climb up to Bullock Bow saddle.  When we got to the top there was a huge snow/ice shelf.  We saw a broken cannon bone of an old skeleton poking up, which we commented on, but didn’t want to dwell on.

  We then had to make our way round the snow on a steep scree slope and up to the top.  Once down the other side it was a narrow track, along way down, passed a lovely tarn,  to Royal Hut.  Princes Ann and Prince Charles had visited many years earlier. 

Royal Hut to Mt Gerald Station

19^th November  23.4kms

Next morning we woke to a nice day.  We knew this day was going to be our most challenging, and it certainly was.  We ended up scouting on foot, both sides of the Te Araoha trail creek for the safest way for the horses, leaving them standing while we did this.  

We slowly made our way up before leaving Bush Stream and climbed over a tussocky ridge, and saw the most awesome tarn with patches of snow and beautiful reflections.  We took lots of photos.  

We carried on passed the tarn up to the top of Stag Saddle, where our cellphones went mad, and stopped and enjoyed a cuppa soup, feeling pretty good.  Little did we know how difficult was the decent, due to snow and rock boulders.  We picked our way slowly down the mountain, but there was lots of snow drifts which we either siddled round via boulders, or took them through.  

As we got lower there was also lots of bogs.  We were delighted to cross over a  ridge to see Mt Gerald station, where we enjoyed a lovely hot shower, too tired for tea.  Very relieved.

20^th November  32.6km 

Mt Gerald to Tekapo

The heavy rain and wind that was predicted arrived, and we were pleased we heeded the weather.  We were happy to ride in this weather knowing we were on a flat road.  The rain cleared as we got close to Tekapo, and we looked back to see fresh snow had fallen where we’d been the previous day.

Tekapo is the half way point down the South Island.

As we neared Tekapo, we were looking for somewhere to camp and thought we’d found a camping ground, but turned out to be a motor home park, and a lady camping there was most helpful.  

We decided to ride into Tekapo as we were in desparate need of a coffee.  The town folk were most helpful in finding grazing for our tired horses, and also we were given hard feed, as well as anything else we needed.   

This trip has been a revelation to us of the kindness and generosity of people as well as the stunning scenery we have been so lucky to have been able to ride through.

The horses had three well earned days off.

While in Tekapo, we found out the story behind the bones in the photo above. They belonged to a horse called Toby who had died during during a crossing of the bullock bow way back on the day of the storm that caused the Waihine disaster. This caused the rider to backtrack thus saving his life!

21^st

Rest Day

22^nd

Rest Day