I am heading to NZ in November/December, and I'm very excited! I was there a number of years ago and absolutely fell in love with Milford Sound and the scenery surrounding it. I would love to do one of the Great Walks in the area (Routeburn or Milford) but I'm unsure about going it alone, given my very limited hiking experience. I've done plenty of day hikes before but always with a group and never overnight. What do you think? I am female, in my mid-twenties in reasonably good shape, but I'm not a super athletic or gymrat type.
I am leaning towards doing the Routeburn in December b/c the Milford is all booked up from about mid-November on, and from what I've read it seems the December weather may be slightly better. Am I correct?
kemejets
1
bushtrekker
If youve plenty of day hikes you will be fine. You certainly wont be on your own, possibly 40 other trampers , and there are DOC hut wardens in the huts at night. Your biggest challenge will be possibly carrying your pack, which will be a lot heavier than what you are used to on a day walk.The track is well formed and signposted. As long as the weather is good there should be no issues. If the weather is awful, the Hut Warden will have a chat to everyone at the hut .Im sure you will find yourself walking with others along the way.Routeburn is a perfect one to start with, as its not too long.Have fun!
2
wildsnow
Hi, I would have guessed the Milford is fully booked, it's crazy. The Routeburn, being in Mt Aspiring NP, has a more alpine scenery, has beech trees and wider views, whereas Milford leads through valleys except for the climb over the pass halfway through and has the steep Fiordland mountains, ferns and rivers to your right and left.
No need to worry about doing the Routeburn on you own! Being on a Great Walk that you have to book, the hut warden knows you are out there! As a general rule that applies when hiking (the Kiwi word is tramping) in the NZ bush, always fill out an intentions form at the local DOC visitor centre, sign the hut books along the track and sign out when you get back to your point of departure/ the visitor centre. That way you can be tracked should you not return. With the booking system on the Great Walks you can feel even safer as the warden knows how many people to expect.
As for actually walking by yourself, I guess it depends on whether your experience makes you feel confident to do so or not. Have a look at how DOC rates the Routeburn on their website, look at photographs. It does have an alpine, i.e. exposed section (Harris Saddle), though it's not rough, the track can always get muddy and it will probably rain at least one day of your trip. You don't have to be an athlete to walk the track and I would venture to say you'll be fine and that it depends more on whether you FEEL safe by yourself and can embrace the idea of facing fog, clouds, rain and cold when by yourself. I find it difficult if not dangerous to give general advice on that as everyone feels different when it comes to confidence and esp being alone in the outdoors. Having said that, naturally, you won't be alone, every few hundred metres, there'll be people walking the track like you!
Unfortunately, I can't say anything about the weather in Nov/Dec but I would take a guess that you can still meet snow up on the Routeburn. Again, DOC has excellent weather forecasts and will be happy to assist you with any questions. Surely, the further into spring you walk the better (because of avalanches). The hut wardens get daily forecasts too, and it's advisable to stay in the hut until they get it and not leave earlier.
And finally, an overnighter. That means being organised so that you can enjoy yourself the entire time. Bringing the essential warm and dry clothes for the hut, but not carrying too much. I would say, a Great Walk is an excellent option to start doing overnight tramps and get organised. The huts provide gas stoves, so you don't have to burden yourself with a cooker to start with. You will have to bring a pot, plate and cutlery, tea towel and of course, a sleeping bag. And a torch and rubbish bags. And food: I find it's fun to think of what you can cook out there, light but delicious; I highly recommend couscous as a base, it perfectly meets those requirements! Indulge yourself with hot chocolate as a good-night-treat. Once in the hut, people will share tables and sit around the fireplace and chat or just read, it's a really nice atmosphere. You could also try and ask a group whether you can join them in their walk or else walk by yourself and enjoy nature's peace while having conversations with people from different continents in the hut at night. Those options make a Great Walk a good start for overnight tramping. Enjoy it!
4
skuse
For weather history check out Met Service . The temps in the area will be 10-15 deg C at the lower elevations. The Routeburn would be a good hike for you as long as you have a good backpack. If you think you can hike 10km ( aprox) a day then stay at the Mackenzie hut and the Routeburn Falls hut.I would also start at the Divide (milford side) as this is how i did it last year and it seemed to work out good.
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