position S035 19.100 E174 07.200
Ocean Rival Journey Log
Adam Power Diana Power
Sun 17 Mar 2019 22:37
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We
made our usual prompt start
in the morning and stopped
for take away coffees in
Wanaka and drunk them
overlooking Glendhu bay. I
had read about a popular
walk in the Mount Aspiring
national park up to Rob Roy
glacier but that involved a
long drive up a dirt road
along the Matukituki river
valley with several fords,
some of which the poor old
Tilda thought were highly
unsuitable for such an
ordinary car. The car
surprised itself and
occupants and made it to the
Rasberry Creek car park
where a few minibuses and a
couple of 4 x 4's had
already parked.
 The
track crosses the Matukituki
before heading up the Rob
Roy valley. Looking back
down to the main river we
were surprised to see a line
of cattle crossing the
river. The parents looked as
if they could easily be
swept away but how the calfs
made it over is a mystery.
 The
track climbed steadily through
beech forest looking down onto
the raging torrent of the Rob
Roy
An overhanging boulder promted
a useful safety sign
suggesting that one shouldn't
hang about on that section in
case of rock falls.
 If
that rock should accidently
fall there'd be a very flat
walker underneath.
The
path opens up above the tree
line and the nose of the
glacier protrudes from the
mountain ridge like icing on
a badly formed christmas cake.
 Streams
tumble from the glacier and one
defied gravity and flowed
upwards as the wind caught the
water and threw it back up to
the ridge as if to prove its
strength.
 We
ate our lunch under the glacier
having found a dryish patch of
heather and shelter from the wind.
With
assistance of gravity we returned
and found a pleasant spot to
admire the view up the Matukituki
valley
 Diana
pronounced that that was the spot
where her ashes should be scattered.
If anyone reading this has that duty
I highly recommend the walk- just
watch out that the wind doesn't blow
her back in your face.
On
the drive back we spotted more
waterfalls that had ecsaped our
attention on the way up as we
concentrated on the fords.
Onward
to Queenstown we stopped for tea by
the lake. The low cloud obscured the
mountains that surround the town and
make it one of the most popular
places to holiday in New Zealand.
Our next bnb was at Athol a little
further south. Another converted tin
shed but again very comfy, this one
on an apricot orchard in a massive
fruit growing area. No kitchen so we
mosied into town and found a nice
mexican restaurant for supper.
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