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Arthur's Pass

Well, I've made it to Arthur's Pass. It's incredible. I'm on my way back to Christchurch, and Arthur's Pass is the most logical route, and it just happens to have some superb mountains and some reputedly good day hikes. It *also* happens to be raining.

The rain started when I was still down in Te Anau, on my way out from the Kepler. The Kepler is a well-know, 4-day loop in the southwest of the South Island. Three days in forest, one day above treeline. The only day you really need good weather is the day above treeline. I got it. I was very lucky--hardly a cloud in the sky. Views of the immediate valleys and the jagged-peaked mountains beyond. Views of the glacially-carved u-shaped valleys leading to large, deep lakes. Views of Te Anau, the town. That was a little weird. I mean, aren't I supposed to be in the backcountry?

I did like Te Anau, though. I took a down day there, just because I liked it. I got to see my first real sunset there, which I described in my journal with something like (okay, exactly like):

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The sky went up in pink tonight. I don't know what happened. One moment it was sky, and the next, pink. I can't explain it. I walked past a pond and the was pink, too, except for the white spot of moon swimming in it.
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It goes on, but my time is short.

I thought a lot on the Kepler. There is a lot of time for thinking when you're hiking alone.

Then, up by bus to Fox Glacier, which I heard was touristy so I planned to skip. I ended up going there to do a two-day hike called Welcome Flat, which has some nice thermal pools just by the hut. Unfortunately, it rained. Or fortunately. Whatever. To coin a cliche phrase, which some hate but which I think demonstrates wonderful perspective: It's all good. I hiked to the terminus of Fox glacier from town. My goodness! Touristy, maybe, but this place is amazing! As someone had told me just the day before, the touristy places are touristy for a reason, and you can't just discount them. Steep, beautiful, forested mountains, and a big glacier.

And, I'm out of time. Humph! Where are my coins? Oh, I've used them...