December 2, 2013 11:00am by David Farrar

Heaphy Day 1

Now back in Nelson having finished the Heaphy Track, and back in Wellington later today. Was an absolutely incredible tramp, and loved it – even when it rained! The first of the nine Great Walks I’m planning to do over the next three summers.

We stayed overnight on Wednesday at the Mercure Apartments in Nelson. They are brilliant Great rooms and views for reasonable prices, and a great pub (the Honest Lawyer, who is buried outside it) across the road.

Definitely stay there again. Then on Thursday morning we had a 8 am shuttle to take us to the start of the Heaphy Track. We used Golden Bay Air for our transport to and from the the track. Our shuttle driver in, was also our scheduled pilot for picking up at the other end! The drive is around three hours.

The start of the track, just before Brown Hut.

I doubt many people stay at Brown Hut as it is 500 metres from the start. Probably used if you only enter late afternoon or if you are coming the other way and finish in the evening.

The first day is 17.5 kms and you climb around 900 metres. A nice wee challenge going up so much while you are fresh.

One of the more solid bridges we crossed. There are a few swing and suspension bridges later on.

It rained occasionally on the first day, but nothing heavy. Fairly overcast, which had the advantage of not getting too hot.

The colour of the rocks/track changes quite a lot, and later on the overall scenery changes dramatically.

Dozens of little streams you ford. With good boots you shouldn’t get wet – unless you slip in!

Around halfway there at this stage.

This little bird was very friendly. Spent around five minutes talking to me from barely a foot away.

A very welcome sight was the Aorere Shelter after around 4 kms and 12.5 kms. The logical place for a late lunch.

Tracey enjoying the view. Most of the time you are in the canopy, but every so often it breaks open. You realise how remote you are when you can see nothing but bush.