08/06/2018 - Best weather on Mount Robert

Our last day in Nelson Lakes National Park started as usual, cold. But not only our bodies were exposed to the merciless cold. Besides the technology, which assumed frightening temperatures, for example, the leek started to curl up. The olive oil also changed its state from liquid to solid!
Today, the wait for better weather had finally paid off. We experienced a beautiful sunrise over Lake Rotoiti - hardly a cloud was to be seen in the sky.
After breakfast, we had to wait for a moment at the campsite until the sun rays had melted the layer of ice on the windshield. Then we finally headed towards Mount Robert. The mountain is located right on the shore of Lake Rotoiti. In the past few days, we have only seen it from a distance. Today we were going up there. We parked our car in a forest car park, from where various hikes start. All of them lead to the summit of the mountain via different routes.
Starting in the shady forest, we quickly realized that the sun had a lot of power on this day and we got warm very quickly. Because most of the hike went uphill on switchbacks on the open slope.
Besides the cold outside temperature, it was especially the beautiful view of the blue lake and the surrounding green forests that accompanied us this morning. Only the constant noise of a small plane, which sprayed pesticides in the area, mitigated the beautiful scenery.
We climbed meter by meter. The vegetation changed almost suddenly. Just past green forests and meadows, we were now facing bare and isolated snow-covered areas. Shortly afterwards, the snow landscape became more and more prominent. The feeling of almost having made it became more present - and after about 1.5 hours we reached the summit of Mt Robert. So we were 1,400 meters above sea level. At first, we looked for a snow-free spot with a view of the lake and the surroundings. There we settled down, took some souvenir pictures and enjoyed the amazing view.
After recovering from the ascent, we explored the summit. We found a shelter and climbed smaller snow hills. :) We also enjoyed an unbelievable silence. Apart from us, there were only a handful of other hikers on Pourangahau, as the Maori call the mountain.
To get back to the car, we chose the alternative route. This was much icier. In the shadow of the mountain, we trudged through the snow, which was quite trodden and therefore slippery. Was it better to choose the pre-trodden holes or to take new paths? You don't know exactly. Either way, you slipped. ;)
After another hour, we reached the next destination unharmed. The Bushline Hut, 1,290m, is well hidden at the edge of the forest and serves as accommodation for multi-day hikes.

Here you can reserve a mattress in advance and thus secure a protected sleeping place. The hut doesn't offer much equipment. Only a fireplace and firewood create an inviting atmosphere.

We entered the hut and were surrounded by pleasant warmth. The fireplace seems to have been lit last night. We warmed up briefly in the hut and then started the descent again. Once again, we went downhill on switchbacks on the open slope. Along the way, there were beautiful panoramas of Lake Rotoiti and the summit of Mount Robert.
After another 90 minutes and a total of ten kilometers, we made it. Slightly exhausted, we took a seat in the car and discussed the plan for the rest of the day. It was already 2:30 pm and our planned accommodation was over 130 kilometers away.

What would not be a great distance on German motorways, means almost a three-hour drive in New Zealand.

After a weather-influenced stay, we left Nelson Lakes National Park and continued to "Blenheim" and then to "Picton". On the way, we only bought the essentials and reached the coastal town at around 6:00 pm. It was already pitch dark and light rain started to fall.

The past few days have shown us that winter on New Zealand's South Island can be very uncomfortable. In the coming days, we will have to figure out when to return to the North Island.