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

Monument Hut

Ben Ohau Range

Barrier Range

Today the East Manuherikia Track

This track leads from Omarama via the Omarama Saddle to St Bathans

The road is pretty steep in places and I need to drive a lot in 1st gear

Happy, especially for not having to walk up here

The saddle is coming into view

It’s a great day for driving up here

Looking back towards the Ewe Range

Almost at the saddle

At the saddle we decided to take a detour to the St Bathans Range, Justin Wills told me you could get to the lake there that I so often flew above. Unfortunately the road was so steep in places that I had to drive a bit on my own, with Rachel having to walk a little

The view towards Lake Dunstan

This is on the actual St Bathans Range, normally I fly over these mountains so it’s cool to be able to drive on them for a change, the view is back towards the Mackenzie Basin

The lake I mentioned above is right below and to the right here, in the distance the Ewe Range, Horrible and the Benmore Range

The lake! We made it. Maybe next time we’ll camp here, must be awesome

After a long walk back up the ridge I’m back at the car

Top Hut

For us the road continues a while further

As we still need to make it to Homestead Hut

Nearly there, about time, getting hungry!

Could I look any more stupid? Likely. But at least I’m eating. Om nom nom

There’s even dessert, thanks Julia!

Though clouds already start drifting in

The Hawkdun Range where I was flying not that long ago

Quite a strong wind today as well

But not strong enough to not fly the drone

The St Bathans Range

What a lovely little campsite

We decide to walk the Homestead Track

The Hawkduns again, and Rachel

Looking north towards what glider pilots familiar with Omarama call Hugo’s Elevator, Omrama is behind the mountains pretty much straight ahead

Great colours

Manuherikia River East Branch, with a 4WD you can make it from here to Omarama, but it’s got to be a proper off road 4WD, it’s too demanding for my X-Trail, unfortunately

Mutton Creek

We are really lucky to be here today with this light

Mutton Creek again

St Bathans Range in the far distance

On the way back to the campsite, nearly there

More clouds again, it’s dark one minute

And the next minute you are reminded of Fields of Gold

Rachel is getting better and better at crossing streams without getting her feet wet

This is the kind of track (at least the part on the right) that I would not like to drive in my X-Trail, just too demanding