Our trip today starts at the Homestead Shelter, we’ve stayed here many times

We’re doing the West Manuherikia Track today, we’ve done this one before but in the opposite direction

It rained quite a bit yesterday so we hope the river isn’t too high, so far it’s looking ok

The first hut on the track: Boundary Creek Hut, where I lost my Ray-Ben (yes, Ray-Ben, not Ray-Ban, they were cheap fakes from AliExpress)

The Omarama Saddle right ahead of us (the low point)

The second hut: Top Hut

Looking back at the hut

We have made it to the top of the saddle, here’s looking back at the track

And the valley with Top Hut

It looks like another great day for gliding as well

The decision is made to drive up to the St Bathans Range (just like the previous time we were here)

Getting to the St Bathans Range is a lot of sloooow driving, sooo many rocks

This is how far I’m willing to drive, from here on it’s a little walk we’re doing, over that top in the previous photo

At the that top, looking back

View of the Mackenzie basin where I was gliding only recently

It’s also rather cold here (at about 2 km altitude), glad I brought a beanie and gloves

Going back to the car again, quite steep here

Rachel ahead of me

Looking back at what Omarama glider pilots know as Hugo’s Elevator

Our car is still there, it’s a happy car, it’s had a 50 mm raise since we were last here and the extra ground clearance really helps, no damage this time

Looking towards Lake Dunstan

Hawkdun Range in the distance

Last part of the track, back down to Omarama

After buying some groceries at Omarama we visit Sailor’s Cutting

Just for a little walk

We end the day at our favourite freedom camping spot at Lake Aviemore

Enjoying a lovely meal