Milford Day 3: Mintaru hut to Dumpling Hut

This day was a tough workout in comparison to the last two with its ascent from the tranquil sublime valley, up and over the Mackinnon pass, which then affords grand views and off to see some tremendous waterfalls, then a hut perched high with a view rivaled by few - what a day !

The trail up the Mackinnon pass was made easy by the very low gradient trails zig zagging its way up. The park workers were even blasting out boulders that might involve tripping a wheelchair over ! (ok this walk is designed to be enjoyed by all, not just us hard core nutters.)

There is something about water and mountains, they mixture of the two makes for the perfect scenic meal.

Flowers adorn the mountains and very pretty they are too.

A likeable rogue, the Kea struts as if he's king of the mountain. Leave anything around that you might cherish and it will furnish his palace or feed his ever hungry appetite.

My camera angle doesn't stretch very far. These water falls (Sutherland falls) go up a long way.

A shower was in order, stand as long as you like, but be prepared to be mashed into pulp.

No price is high enough to have private ownership with this resident's view, glad there is room for me.

What say you to a loo with a view ?

The beds are adequate (take your ear plugs !). Our Australian Great Walk competitors could review the competition: in the huts of the Milford, gas cookers and sinks with running water are provided. They were completely unexpected, but a welcome surprise.

One thing that I don't like is that your peace is disrupted by thrump-thrump of a helicopter. Goods are flown in and I suppose there could be tourism flights - just glad they are expensive and hence only come through occasionally.