Saturday, July 11 - (It's the journey, not the destination, or is it?) Ces Clark Hut bound...

Ordering breakfast from Allan at Maggie's Kitchen in Greymouth. Greymouth has hit a recession because of the closing of coal mines in the area.  Allan has been very kind to our groups in past years and we are always happy to give him our business.  His breakfast and lunch cafe serves basic breakfast and lunch and always with a smile and always with old 1940s American music playing in the background.  We were also happy to hear the town of Greymouth is now in the process of revitalizing their Central Business Distric (CBD).

We again got an early start on a clear, sunny, and COLD and frosty day (but expected temp up to 50F and Colin and Dean are both in shorts if you can believe it – we could not in our 4-5 layers), with a hearty breakfast in Greymouth at Maggie’s Kitchen.  Our friend, Allen, made sure we were all set with breakfast, and our sandwiches for today’s lunch.   

I had to do two takes with the gang to get them to do this more serious "start of the expedition" picture.

Here they are in their "J.C. Penney" pose.

At the route information sign just at the start of the hike.

Icy ferns.

Umbrella Fern!

Tree Ferns.

Dr. Anderson on the first swing bridge.

Tupelo crossing the swing bridge on our way back.

View out over the car park.  Spectacular day for a hike!

Then we drove to the Smoke-Ho Car Park for the Croesus Track hike.  We are hiking from the Blackball side of the mountain up to the top to stay in the Ces Clark Hut for the night. Tomorrow we will only be able to explore about an hour across the top ridge before we have to backtrack and go back the way we came as there are trees down from a storm in June on the Barrytown side of the hike and it is closed (hopefully though, the day will be clear and we will be able to see Mount Cook in the distance from the ridge).   

Tupelo and I hiked in about a half hour to the first swing bridge where we left our fearless gang.  We can’t wait to hear stories and see pictures (which we will add to the blog so you will get to see too).  It will be a great hike, clear to see spectacularly  starry skies at night, and we hope they will hear Kiwi calling.  Until then, stay warm everyone and have fun, Meryl : )

Note: Mark called from the top at the hut (where he amazingly had cell reception) that they had arrived safe and sound.  We had set off at 11am and they had arrived by 4:30pm. They were getting all settled in and starting a fire in the wood stove (the Department of Conservation supplies coal for the fire and everyone brought up a handful of kindling) which will keep them toasty warm for the night.