Routeburn Track, 1st half on 19.11.2019

The Routeburn Track, 33 km one way (also 66 km round trip) is recommended for a 2-3 day hike.
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's Great Walks, and during the Great Walk Season (end of October to April), accommodations on the track must be booked in advance. So you need to know in advance how long it will take you to get from one destination to the next.
It is only possible to sleep in so-called huts, which cost 60 dollars per person per night (for locals or work and holiday visa holders) and 120 dollars per person per night for foreigners (tourists).
It is always emphasized to be prepared for any weather. It can still snow in New Zealand even in the middle of summer. The weather is so changeable that having 4 seasons in a day is almost normal.
Back to the huts, they are equipped with beds, mattresses, toilets, cooking facilities, and heating.
It is also possible to camp in designated camping areas, which costs 20 dollars per person per night.
The Routeburn Track is one way, which means either you hike round trip and therefore need more time and money for accommodations, or you organize transportation because there is a car distance of almost 400 km between the start and end of the track.

So.. We decided to hike as far as we could from each side of the track, which has the following advantages:

- no costs for accommodations
- no additional baggage such as a tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, cooker, or dishes, or more food
- no problem with changes in weather, as you determine the day you start your hike
- no panic if the weather changes and you can't get a refund for your prepaid accommodations
- Even if you don't book a hut accommodation, you can still use the drinking water and other facilities there
- no need to worry about transportation costs

Disadvantages? They are relative
- you are forced to return on the same day
- walking many kilometers (20-30) depending on fitness level, but it is also possible to walk less

So you might understand why we chose our option.
The day and weather started with constant rain, but we were well prepared (waterproof rain jacket, poncho, waterproof hiking shoes, and enough food and water). We planned to hike about 24 km from the starting point 'The Divide', past Lake Howden Hut, and to Lake Mckenzie Hut.
It rained and rained, but we had no problems because of the ponchos and shoes.
But then we reached higher altitudes and the snow was finally knee-deep and very slippery. The part of the trail where it goes steeply downhill could only be guessed at in some places.
So instead of taking the usual 3 hours to hike from Lake Howden Hut to Lake Mckenzie (8.6 km), it took us almost 4 hours. At some point, we were no longer sure if we might have missed the Lake Mckenzie Hut somehow because of the weather, so we turned back after 14 km one way, knowing that we had to cover those 14 km again to get back.
Due to the rain and melting snow, at some 'water crossings', where we hopped from stone to stone, the water rose so much that these stones were no longer visible. You could just walk through it, but this water was a small waterfall with considerable force and steep slopes.

We have mastered everything and are very proud to have completed the track in such harsh weather conditions.

The track was really worth it, especially the huge waterfalls 'halfway' with a height of 194 m were amazing.
We are looking forward to the 2nd part of the track

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