Franz Josef

 Kia Ora!  

I decided to take on the most challenging hike in the area, the Alex Knob Track. Various websites said it was 18 kilometers and only for experienced walkers.  It was rated between difficult and expert.  I was all in for a challenge after not getting to hike yesterday. Well, I got my money's worth and then some.

This was the first sign I saw as I began the walk. I had to return my drone to the car.  Just kidding.

Alexander Graham (Alec) was a famous mountain guide and hotelier in the area and the trail is the namesake of Alex Knob on the Fritz Range. The track steadily zig-zagged up (and up) through a rainforest to sub-alpine tussock. 

Although I mostly saw clouds, the Rata Lookout is reputed to be one of the best views of the Franz Josef Glacier.

The path up was four hours of steep incline and only steep incline - no flat and no down.  Tough going, but at least it was somewhat cool and shaded.

It was through an enchanted forest.

The red ferns were magnificent.

And these large daisies were quite a surprise.

Pant-Pant, Gasp-Gasp. I was getting close to the top when an Asian kid (about 20-25) passed me but not fast enough to seriously hurt my ego.  I was about to take a break (read dying), but my pride wouldn't let me sit down at that point, so up I went.  

The marker for the summit was rather a disappointment.  I expected cheering crowds and maybe a ribbon to run through, and certainly, at the very least, the paparazzi would be snapping photos to herald this momentous accomplishment. I wanted to plant a flag for the U S, but all I saw was this weird stand.

From the Alex Knob peak, I was rewarded for my killer uphill with a cloud-covered view of the Franz Josef Glacier, the Main Divide, and the Tasman Sea.  I sat down with total satisfaction and ate my cheese sandwich, knowing all was well in my world. I was totally soaked in perspiration, and my hair looked like I had been in the shower, but it all felt glorious.

As I descended, the clouds cleared briefly, and I could see all I was promised (sorta) of the surrounding area. 

The Christmas lookout views were stunning. That is the Franz Josef Glacier.

The trail was not only steep but required some scrambling.  Scrambling is when you have to use your hands and actually climb up some of the really big steps.  Going down, more than once, I had to sit and then reach with my foot to the trail.

I was almost finished when I took the craziest fall.  I wouldn't have even called it a fall; it was more like a quick sit-down.  I tried to save myself with my left hand, but all my weight came down on a 3-4 inch loose stone sitting on the top of a bolder. I can tell you that it hurt like hell! I literally saw stars and not the good kind.  The meaty part of my hand below my thumb puffed up and started turning purple. I was initially afraid I had seriously hurt something, but it seems much better now.  I will be fine. For all of those tough spots on the hike, I fell on the easiest part of all.  Go Figure.  Today's total mileage was roughly 16 miles.

Until tomorrow!