Third day. Hearty breakfast with lamb sausage. Rain.
We hiked the Hooker Valley Track, took the steep steps up the overlook to the Tasman Glacier, and skipped out to Kea Point. There, we first heard – then saw with awe – the glaciers groan and quake on the mountain face in front of us, spewing ice falls and cascading hunks down the mountainsides. To be crushed by that force!
Aoraki, tallest of the mountains in the Southern Alps and New Zealand, never showed us his mighty face. They say he only does so to those who are worthy. So last year I was, this one, not.
Heading out and south, we cackled past a dad dressed as Gandalf (his teenage daughter’s idea; we did pass) and dawdled down the valley past Lake Pukaki once more (the last more) . . . I could die of that blue. It kills me.
Pushing late on our drive, we watched the terrain change from glistening ice to tawny desert hills as we passed through the Lindis Valley via NZ 8 on the way to Cromwell.
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_SAW8783](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SAW8783.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_SAW8787](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SAW8787.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8122](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8122.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8125](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8125.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8127](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8127.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![v1](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/v1.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8130](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8130.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8132](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8132.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![v2](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/v2.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8138](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8138.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![v3](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/v3.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![v4](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/v4.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8147](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8147.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8152](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8152.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8153](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8153.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8154](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8154.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8156](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8156.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![v5](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/v5.jpg)
Drip drip drop little April showers . . .
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8159](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8159.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8164](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8164.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8165](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8165.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8170](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8170.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8175](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8175.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![v6](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/v6.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8178](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8178.jpg)
The rain drops floated on the lake, skimming across the denser liquid from the glacial rock flour that makes the water milky.
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8182](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8182.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![v7](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/v7.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8188](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8188.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8192](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8192.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![v8](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/v8.jpg)
Dickey’s new forever-home.
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8198](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8198.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8204](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8204.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8205](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8205.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8207](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8207.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8226](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8226.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8237](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8237.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8240](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8240.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8239](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8239.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8235](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8235.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![v10](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/v10.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8245](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8245.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![v9](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/v9.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![v11](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/v11.jpg)
Wet and thorny, both.
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8256](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8256.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![v12](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/v12.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8260](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8260.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8262](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8262.jpg)
Tasman Glacier and the start of Lake Pukaki.
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8263](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8263.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8269](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8269.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8273](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8273.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8275](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8275.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8276](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8276.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8278](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8278.jpg)
Père et fils.
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8282](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8282.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8287](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8287.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8290](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8290.jpg)
“You shall not pass!”
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8296](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8296.jpg)
We failed to like feijoa even though everyone said we should.
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8297](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8297.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8298](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8298.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8303](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8303.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8306](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8306.jpg)
Heart-home.
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8307](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8307.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8309](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8309.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8315](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8315.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8311](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8311.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8314](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8314.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8324](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8324.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8326](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8326.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8331](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8331.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8336](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8336.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8340](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8340.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8342](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8342.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8346](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8346.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8350](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8350.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8351](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8351.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8353](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8353.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8355](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8355.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8359](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8359.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8363](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8363.jpg)
Looking out towards Omarama’s clay cliffs. I want to hike them one day.
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8369](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8369.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8372](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8372.jpg)
Lindis Valley road.
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8374](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8374.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8375](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8375.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8378](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8378.jpg)
![](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto3/images/blank.gif)
![_WAS8381](https://sarahannewharton.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WAS8381.jpg)
Though no photos exist, we had a dance party in the deserted pedestrian mall in Cromwell as dark fell and blinking neon blazed around us. The song, appropriately, was “How Bizarre”.
Life. How bizarre. Indeed.