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November 1 - 15, 2009
$2020
Mary Coffin, Leader
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Weather & trail conditions may modify itinerary. Please be flexible! DAY 0: November 1-2, 2009 Depart US 11/1/09,
two days prior to Day 1 rendezvous. Cross international date line
enroute.
DAY 1, Tuesday, November 3, 2009 Fly from Auckland to
Christchurch, South Island. Take shuttle to hostel and meet leader and
group for orientation. Get acquainted with the British coastal city of
Christchurch, well known for its beautiful gardens, cathedral,
Littleton Port (where many Antarctic expeditions departed) and amazing
Antarctic exhibits, both at the International Antarctic Center and the
Canterbury Museum's Antarctic Gallery. Stay at Stonehurst Hostel and
catch up from jet lag.
DAY 2, Wednesday, November 4, 2009 Continue north along
the coast, looking for seabirds and fur seals, through the wine country
towards Nelson at the north end of South Island. Spend the night in
rural New Zealand.
DAYS 3-5, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 5-7, 2009 Start our hiking in
Nelson Lakes National Park with a trek along glacial lakes, rain
forest, and high-alpine country. Spend 2-3 nights in back country huts
within the park.
DAYS 5-8, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, November 7-10, 2009 Travel North to
Kahurangi National Park, the second largest park in New Zealand. This
is a place of limestone bedrock, uncut forests, and snowcapped
peaks. We'll carry our backpacks from hut-to-hut and also find time to
hike to the top of Mt. Arthur, the region's highest peak. Mountains on
the South Is range from 1000’-3500’ in elevation.
DAYS 9-11, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, November 11-13, 2009 We'll continue our
tour through other national parks before heading back to Christchurch.
These days may include the parks of Abel Tasman, Arthur's Pass, and
Paparoa. We'll set up our tents and spend some time doing day hikes to
unique natural features within these special places - golden beaches,
coastal "blowholes," hidden waterfalls, and coastal old-growth rain
forests.
DAYS 12-13, Saturday, Sunday, November 14-15, 2009 Return to
Christchurch and spend a bit more time exploring this "very British"
city. The town is full of lovely parks and the spring flowers will be
in full bloom - not to be missed. We'll spend a last evening together,
sleep in the city's best-appointed hostel, Stonehurst Hostel, and
depart for the airport and for the US 11/15/09
For more information and to sign up, contact the leader, Mary Coffin, 328 Deepsprings Road, Chittenango, NY 13037, telephone 315- 687-3589, E-mail mcoffin1@twcny.rr.com. |