“If you’ve got any sprint left in you, go for it.”
But it was Christmas Day. Would there be some Christmas magic in the air? Would the boat captain— knowing of two runners on their way—decide to wait for us?
I was utterly exhausted, but I sprinted across the pristine grounds of Glade House, a private lodge. A slight uphill as the trail reentered the forest triggered a flurry of heaving and guttural grunting. I cried out at the first glimpse of the lake, not in delight at the discovery of a waiting boat, but in case a captain who’s about to leave might hear it and wait a tad longer.
My legs were aflame. The lungs were screaming. The tank was empty. Hazy hope was the only thing driving me onwards.
The Milford Track is touted as the finest hike in the world. It spans 53.5 km from Sandfly Point, at the edge of Milford Sound, to Glade Wharf on Lake Te Anau. It’s a trophy for trail runners, not just for the distance and the scenery, but also the logistical challenges.
It entails two boat rides, the first being a 10-minute trip from Deep Water Basin in Milford Sound to Sandfly Point. Making the second ride—from Glade Wharf to Te Anau Downs, on the main road—is the crux. Missing it means hiking over Dore Pass, a 1200m climb up and over inhospitable terrain, followed by hitch-hiking from the roadside.
Then there are the fitness demands and the forecast, which wasn't ideal: steady rain, with snow at the highest point—Mackinnon Pass. We could have waited for more agreeable conditions, but why not celebrate Christmas Day, which also happened to be Steph’s birthday, with an adventure?
This story is from the February - March 2021 edition of Adventure Magazine.
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This story is from the February - March 2021 edition of Adventure Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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