Day two was our first day of serious walking - about 16 km from Glade House to Pompolona Lodge. The track is periodically marked by mile posts, as it has been since the old times, so we started thinking in miles too. Sixteen km is ten miles. Having not done any serious tramping for at least thirty years, this was to be a test of our aging legs and bodies, and of our shiny new boots and socks and other outdoor gear.
 |
| Crossing our first swing bridge - the first of many |
 |
| The track is under constant attack from slips and erosion |
 |
| A waterfall at Prairie Lake |
 |
| Around noon, and the sun is out |
 |
| Pausing beside the river. The water is crystal clear, and safe to drink |
 |
| The 6 mile marker, beside the Clinton River |
 |
| A bush robin attacked my socks |
 |
| A weka eyeing me suspiciously |
 |
| Track markers used when this section is under water! |
 |
| Pompolona! |
The weather was much better than expected, with just light rain at times. We could see the peaks towering overhead on both sides of the valley, and could even glimpse the high pass ahead which we will be climbing tomorrow. Our expenditure on decent boots and high-tech "Smartwool" socks seemed to pay off, as we did not get blisters. I had a sore back and feet, but overall we held up fairly well. We were just satisfied not to be the slowest walkers!
 |
| Welcoming food and drink when we reached Pompolona. |
 |
| Sue takes the load off her feet. |
 |
| The hand-washing laundry facilities. |
Each hut has a powerful drying room where you can dry wet clothes and laundry. It is a large room full of wooden racks blasted with hot air by an industrial-scale heating system. The lodges use gas for cooking and fuel oil to power the generators. The generators stop at 10 pm each night, which means the lights go out. We were told to leave our lights turned on, so that when the generator starts up again at 6:15 am, the lights come on and wake everyone up! In practice I don't think I ever managed to stay awake until 10 pm.
 |
| Looking out from the lodge at the peaks over 1,000 metres above. |
 |
| This is what keas do to your boots if you leave them outside! |
The famous Newey sisters Jean and Margaret walked the Milford Track about 22 years ago, when they were in their sixties. I searched the old visitors' books still stacked in the lounge area, and found Jean's entry:
 |
| Jean's entry in the Pompolona visitors' book, February 1994 |
