Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway

Harvey and I tramped along the Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway. It was a two-day hike with a hut stay at Rod Donald Hut. To start, we took a shuttle from Christchurch to the Banks Peninsula. Volcanic activity between 11 and 6 million years ago led formed two overlapping volcanic cones. After this activity ceased, the volcanic complex eroded to half its original height, and deep valleys formed. Harbors were formed when the valleys were flooded as the sea level rose to its present height about 6,000 years ago. We got off the shuttle at Hilltop where we started the hike with gorgeous views of the Akaroa harbor. The hut has 9 bunks, a VIP toliet (pretty awesome composting pit toliet), and an eating area with sinks and tables. We shared the hut with a couple of moms with young kids (3 yo and infant) - so our sleep wasn't the best. But the hut was really nice and fun. The hike went through a lot of sheep and cow pastures. We frequently had to cross fences to follow the trail. We got scenic views of the harbors on both sides of the peninsula. We saw giant Totara trees and walked through windswept Totara forests. Totara trees are considered a "taonga" (treasure) by Māori people. We ended in Diamond Harbor where we took the ferry to Lyttelton. Day 1 stats: 14.3km (8.9mi), 727.8m (2,388ft), 4:33 total time (4:20 moving time) Day 2 stats: 16.4km (10.2mi), 659.8m (2,165ft), 4:46 total time (4:30 moving)