Guess what – we’re stopping over near a lake. This is a glacial valley formed during the last ice age, dammed by a terminal moraine. Though now adays it’s used as part of a hydro electric scheme.
Riding along it’s shores (up and down along the hillsides) was at the end of the day. Following the Haast River, up the Haast Pass – 600m ascent over 7.5 km- up to Lake Wanaka was the main show. I met an American later who proudly stated his achievement: we drove over Haast Pass. Looking at my happy wee bike I said “wow, that’s great. I cycled it”. He didn’t seem to notice any irony.
The real show was however the storm we were in, starting from 8pm last night. The streams that tumble down the hillside full of replenished energy from topping up; the mist hanging low in the valleys; the torrents of waterfalls.
I wore two waterproofs today – both shrugged their shoulders and said – suck it up, it’s only water.
The landscapes remind me of the Highlands – grander and more rugged though – the water is blue vs black. The weather changes just as quickly – now it’s blue skies and white clouds. Hopefully this means the storm has passed for tomorrow’s last day cycling of this trip, into Queenstown.
Travelling reflections 