Rain and Shine on the Kepler Track
New Zealand, 2008
The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.
— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Having cut short my time on Stewart Island, I now have time to explore the trails on the west coast of the southern island. The Kepler Track is among the most famous in this part of the country. Having become very popular, the huts need to be booked in advance through the DOC. It is a bit different from what I prefer, but if I want to experience this track, which is known for its natural beauty, then I have to surrender to the circumstances. So, huts are booked and off I go.
It is a beautiful sunlit day when I set out on the Kepler track. Ideal circumstances for both hikers and trail runners. The hike takes me along the shore of Lake Te Anau, where I enjoy the gentle sounds of the water. I walk through beautiful forest and during the day there is quite a bit of climbing to do. Once I am walking above the tree line I feel an incredible expanse and freedom. Today too I experience listening to the immense silence. I love it, and I am not at all surprised that I see many heart-shaped rocks along the path. The atmosphere is quite special here.
