A New Track - Kepler

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A New Track The Kepler Sue and Lindsay Cuthbertson out their own rubbish. There was a resident warden (housed in a separate building) who turns This new tramping track opened with so much on the gas, lights the lamps etc and most publicity that Sue and I were keen to see what important, collects the $11 hut fee. I presume had been done with the million dollars which is gas will not be available during the winter when said to have been spent so far on its construction. the wardens are withdrawn. We lunched at where the Iris Burn flows into the lake. The Iris We signed in at the new Fiordland National Park Burn is a large brownish stream and one has Headquarters at Te Anau. The forms were many glimpses of it from the gently climbing numbered and we were given a tear-off section track. The open area of the 'Big Slip' which from the bottom to return to them on completing formed in 1984 is the next feature of interest and the track. We decided to walk the opposite way then it is over a low saddle to the Iris Burn Hut to that suggested in Fiordland National Park which although not exactly a replica of Moturau pamphlet, although their reasons for suggesting Hut, is similar to it. Matthew Comesky (WTMC Mt Luxmore first are sensible. member) was hut warden. Also present were a number of trampers coming the other way these According to Fiordland National Park there have been no problems with vehicles left parked, so about 9am we left our car at the Rainbow Reach carpark, then crossed the impressive Waiau River swingbridge to commence the round trip. Soon after starting a short diversion out to the Lake Manapouri shoreline at Shallow Bay was well worth-while. It was a superb morning and the sight of the still waters of the lake with such a magnificent backdrop of mountains was unforgettable. There is a mounted pointer diagram naming the peaks in sight. Then it was on to the latest in tramping huts, 1988 style, the 40-bunk 2-level Moturau Hut with internal circular stairway, internal flush loos, gas fired drying room, gas lighting and cooking, etc. It seemed to me to be a very practical design and easy to keep clean. There are no utensils, such people were from all over the world and made for as billies, provided, no crockery, no food storage some interesting conversations. Before dark we or cupboards of any sort and no rubbish took a well worth-while side trip to visit a nearby facilities. Bags are provided for people to carry waterfall. Moturau Hut, Kepler Track Sue Cuthbertson

Driving the track almost straight uphill from the formations to see. There are also other larger Iris Burn Hut to the bushline had obviously caves in the area. We finally left about mid-day. taken a vast amount of human muscle power and The track down is muddy in places and still is to was still being worked on. Miniature caterpillar be upgraded, especially the section between the bulldozers and soil loaders had been helicoptered hut and the spectacular limestone bluffs. The in and we watched them in use. Shortly after section around the shoreline of Lake Te Anau was emerging above the bushline there is a fine very pleasant with its forest and bird life and the viewpoint, looking down the Iris Burn and over beautiful weather prevailing. We soon arrived at the surrounding mountain country. Here the the control gates and started on the Walau River formed track stopped and we followed the ridge track. We could have continued to reach the car (marked by steel standards) to the first of the later that evening but chose instead to enjoy a alpine shelters at 1390 metres. These shelters very pleasant overnight camp just off the river are well constructed and will be most useful in track. Next morning a couple of hours tramping any emergency. Track workers were in residence time saw us back at the swingbridge and the car and could be seen (with another mini-bulldozer) to complete the full round-trip. working on forming a track sidling the next rise. Here we started to meet the first of about 30 trampers coming the other way. Talking to one of them about the huts, he mentioned that he missed the provision of better personal washing facilities. He seemed a little upset when we said that 'only dirty people wash' and that there was an excellent waterfall provided near Iris Burn Hut! The track markers and any of the formed track so far constructed sidle around everything and we soon found it was much more pleasant to stay on top of the ridge at all times. We enjoyed the wide panoramic views all the way and soon arrived at the second alpine shelter, also with track workers in residence and who were working with their machine nearby. The weather now deteriorated and light snow was falling as we - crossed Mt Luxmore (1471 metres). Even when fully formed the alpine section of this track will a demand respect. Some of those we had met were carrying 'over shoulder' type bags and wearing inadequate clothing and footwear in spite of the Fiordland National Park emphasis on the need for proper gear, fitness and experience. We continued down to the new Mt Luxmore Hut by 5pm. This hut is of a different design to the others but with similar facilities and is above the bushline at 1085 metres. Our overnight stay there was somewhat spoiled by a New Zealand party of 4 or 5 young men who got themselves very drunk and were noisy until 'lights-out' when they fortunately 'shut-up'. Overnight more snow fell but the sun came out early a lovely sight there was much camera clicking. Ihad left my boots on the verandah and found them frozen solid. Likewise the internal water was frozen so that the outside 'long-drop' loos had to be used and water for breakfast meals taken from an outside source. Bruce, the hut warden, came in with the latest weather forecast and gave a little talk to those crossing that day, advising several people not to try it. Bruce then offered to take Sue and I to the entrance of one of a3 the smaller nearby caves. This cave took about an hour to explore - there were some beautiful