Location: Mackinnon Pass, Milford Track, South Island, New Zealand (44�48'7"S 167�46'13"E)
Date: 20 December 1996; 10.20am
Camera: (analogue) Canon EOS 500N on negatives and scanned
Milford Track is one of the most popular trails in NZ, popularly referred to as �The Finest Walk in the World�. It is 53.5km long and has some beautiful landscape along the trail of glaciated alpine mountains and lakes, waterfalls, rainforests and wetlands. The trail finishes at the Milford Sound, where trekkers will have to take a ferry to cross the sound. The peak season for walking the trail is in the summer months when access is highly regulated. Trekkers must complete the train in 4 days (and 4 days only, nothing more or less) in one direction. No camping is allowed- so trekkers must stay at the huts along the trail. The huts have bunks and supply of gas and water; trekkers have to bring their own sleeping bags, food and cooking utensils. A maximum of 90 trekkers can start on the trail each day and these 90 people must move on to the next hut every day; so one always see the same 89 other trekkers for the 4 day duration. The walk can be done easily independently as it is clearly marked. It is so popular during the summer months that it is not uncommon to have to book a place 12 months ahead! Milford Track is very spectacular especially after some rains with waterfalls everywhere as rainwater trails down the vertical cliffs.
