The Milford Track

The Milford Track has been described as one of the finest walks in the world. In 1997 my eldest son arranged for us and his younger brother to join the guided walk, which stretched over 53.5 kilometers, and took us 4 days. This of course is over 24 years' ago now (I can't believe it was that long ago) but the walk remains as immensely popular today as it was then.

My recollection is that only 40 people could set out per day, as the huts could cater for this number and it was a manageable number for the two guides to keep track of. As we had to carry a pack as well, and day 3 was a zig-zag climb up to the top of McKinnon Pass, and down again, it was challenging. Day 4, I think consisted of 22 kilometres to Sandfly Point where our boat was waiting to take us back to Milford. We were warned that it was important to be there on time, as this would be the last boat out (?) from Sandfly Point that day.

Most memorable was that this walk attracts people from all over the world, and there would be stimulating conversations over the log fire at nights with a very broad cultural group. Will this be possible again, or have times changed forever how we interact and enjoy such experiences?

People stretched out over the route each day and did not travel in large groups. It was simply necessary to be back at the huts in good time at the end of the day, or there would be a search under way.