So this was it. A day I've waited for and anticipated for a long time. The reasons for my anticipation were twofold.
The first reason had to do with this being an amazing valley hike with the tallest peak in New Zealand right in front of you most of the way. Mt. Cook cook is an inspiring peak and one that you can't help but stare at and admire as you walk. This to date is the nicest hike I've ever done, and will be a hard one to beat.
I love a good computer wallpaper, and occasionally would update it based on the season or my mood. Usually, I go for mountain views if not something seasonal like fall leaves or snowy vistas. I found a New Zealand valley and mountain view online that I fell in love with and made my wallpaper on my work computer. I may have had it up for a year or two before leaving that job. At some point I looked up the location realizing that I would have the time and ability to enjoy such a seemingly awesome place while in NZ. When times were tough or I felt stressed I would sometimes remind myself that one day in the not-so-distant future I'd be able to walk the path through that valley without those burdens. It actually got to the point where I pretty much promised this to myself. I got familiar enough with the picture that I had a spot on the path that I thought I could recognize in person and that in making it to that spot would satisfy my commitment to myself. I also playfully decided I'd turn around to the "camera" in the sky, "me on the other side of the screen" and give myself a thumbs up, you made it gesture lol
So Friday, February 27 was that day. With a coating of sunblock, my camera, a granola bar, a water bottle I'd later be grateful I'd topped off, and a pic of my work computer screen I'd taken with my iPhone before leaving the job I started out on the Hooker Valley Track ("trail")
They say the hike takes 3 hours round trip (there and back on the same trail), so I wasn't sure that I'd be able to find my spot. However, I could tell from the pic that it was near the lake at the end of the trail, and that the river was to my right. The trail took you over the river a few times with the river sometimes on your left, and at other times on your right. So this was helpful. I could also see that darker green vegetation started near where my spot was.
As I was nearing the lake at the end of the trail, as I gather from a passing hiker's info, I started to look for my spot. And I found it! Grass turned into brush, the river was to my right, a few rock slides were beyond that, and the turns in the path seemed to match the ones on my phone. I'd made it. In more ways than one.
The first reason had to do with this being an amazing valley hike with the tallest peak in New Zealand right in front of you most of the way. Mt. Cook cook is an inspiring peak and one that you can't help but stare at and admire as you walk. This to date is the nicest hike I've ever done, and will be a hard one to beat.
I love a good computer wallpaper, and occasionally would update it based on the season or my mood. Usually, I go for mountain views if not something seasonal like fall leaves or snowy vistas. I found a New Zealand valley and mountain view online that I fell in love with and made my wallpaper on my work computer. I may have had it up for a year or two before leaving that job. At some point I looked up the location realizing that I would have the time and ability to enjoy such a seemingly awesome place while in NZ. When times were tough or I felt stressed I would sometimes remind myself that one day in the not-so-distant future I'd be able to walk the path through that valley without those burdens. It actually got to the point where I pretty much promised this to myself. I got familiar enough with the picture that I had a spot on the path that I thought I could recognize in person and that in making it to that spot would satisfy my commitment to myself. I also playfully decided I'd turn around to the "camera" in the sky, "me on the other side of the screen" and give myself a thumbs up, you made it gesture lol
So Friday, February 27 was that day. With a coating of sunblock, my camera, a granola bar, a water bottle I'd later be grateful I'd topped off, and a pic of my work computer screen I'd taken with my iPhone before leaving the job I started out on the Hooker Valley Track ("trail")
They say the hike takes 3 hours round trip (there and back on the same trail), so I wasn't sure that I'd be able to find my spot. However, I could tell from the pic that it was near the lake at the end of the trail, and that the river was to my right. The trail took you over the river a few times with the river sometimes on your left, and at other times on your right. So this was helpful. I could also see that darker green vegetation started near where my spot was.
As I was nearing the lake at the end of the trail, as I gather from a passing hiker's info, I started to look for my spot. And I found it! Grass turned into brush, the river was to my right, a few rock slides were beyond that, and the turns in the path seemed to match the ones on my phone. I'd made it. In more ways than one.
![Picture](/uploads/4/6/5/8/46588651/8062584.jpg?1425962734)
I kept a constant count. "One, two, three. We're okay." "One, two, three, four, five. We're good. No worries." "One, two,... ten, eleven...Anyone here pregnant? Does that count as one of the 20? Does anyone know? EVERYONE OFF!!" Actually, I don't think I ever saw more than a handful of people on it at one time.