January 26-29, 2009

The Rees-Dart Track was my final overnight tramp on this trip.  In some ways, this was my most difficult track.  Not necessarily because it was actually more difficult, but I had trouble with dehydration and perhaps some heat exhaustion on this track.  They say that the sun in the southern hemisphere is more intense, and the first day of this track was largely across an open meadow in the Rees Valley with little shade.  There was plenty of water available, after all the track follows a river and parts of it go through boggy parts of the meadow (not that I’d drink the water there).  But even though I drank lots of water, it was apparently not enough.  I was exhausted at the end of the first day.

The second day was the easiest for me, even though it went up and over a saddle the mileage was significantly shorter.  Plus, I had the alpine views to enjoy.  The third day I started having more trouble, feeling disoriented at one point after a creek crossing trying to find the track on the other side.  The last day was fine while hiking, but after the bus ride to Glenorchy (during which I felt fine), I became light headed after standing up and next thing I knew I was on the ground.  I drank powerade and ate a whole bag of chips I bought in the store at Glenorchy, so obviously I was dehydrated and craving salt.  After getting to Queenstown, I was fine for a while, and again passed out briefly in the lounge at the hostel.  Two nice women there helped me out and brought me water and fed me some pasta.  I gradually started feeling better, but started being extra careful when first standing up!

The views on this track are fantastic, especially the second day where Rees Saddle is crossed and the majority of the day is spent above bushline.  Despite the dehydration issues, this was one of my favorite tracks!

On the Rees Saddle

Mon. Jan 26:  On the Rees-Dart Track at 10am.  Started on a “road” with a couple of river crossings above knee deep.  Wore my sandals for those.  Much of the start was across a wide meadow, and it was quite warm as the sun was out today!  Got a touch of heat exhaustion I think.  Trying to drink lots of water (4 quarts while hiking, and two more here at the hut).  Was my most difficult day so far here due to that—hopefully will feel good tomorrow.  Reached Shelter Rock Hut around 5:30.  Hiked part of the day with a guy from Haifa, Israel and talked quite a bit in the hut with a guy from Dunedin who grew up in Ohio.  Hoping for a bit easier day tomorrow.

Views from the day’s walk through the Rees Valley

Tue. Jan 27:  Beautiful weather again today!  On the track by 9:30, made my way up to Rees Saddle at 1471 meters elevation.  Great views—Snowy Creek runs through quite a canyon!  Got to the saddle around 12:15.  Descent down the other side not too bad—my legs were hardly hurting at all.  Arrived at Dart Hut before 3pm.  Nice views from the hut!  Pretty windy coming down from the saddle—wore my Goretex jacket part of the way.  Still feel like I might be a little dehydrated—trying to drink up.  Last night had a bad snorer in the bunkroom—moved to a bunk in the kitchen around 1am and got some good sleep after that.

Views of the Rees Valley nearing Rees Saddle

Views of Snowy Creek canyon

Views of the Dart Glacier

Wed. Jan 28:  Absolutely exhausted, and not fully sure why.  Heat exhaustion may be part of it—had a hard time eating my Easy Mac dinner, but felt better after I finished it.  So “hunger” is maybe a factor?  Cramps from time to time in various places—especially in the stomach area.  Looking forward to shower & restaurant food tomorrow.  Got started around 8:45 and got to Daleys Flat Hut at 4:15—just under the “max” 8 hours DOC posts.  Views from time to time—got hot on Cattle Flat as sun was out.  Weather remains “fine”—possible rain coming tomorrow.

Views from the day’s walk through the Dart Valley—Daleys Flat Hut visible in the third picture

Thu. Jan 29:  Much easier day today—left the hut at 7:40 and got to the car park right around noon.  Track was mostly through the woods.  Unfortunately, the car park was infested with sandflies and the bus pickup was at 2:00!  Covered all body parts including hands and face (with net) and survived without too many bites.  Felt better after the hike, was craving salt!  Drank a powerade and ate a fairly large bag of chips on the bus to Queenstown.  Feeling exhausted tonight, combo of not very good sleep, and dehydration that started with the sunny weather.  Today there was some rain, just sprinkles.  Hoping for a steak dinner tonight!

Views from the day’s walk