NZ Hike Day 9: On to Mt. Aspiring National Park

We hiked down Copland Valley today. What was an incline going up became a decline going down and despite a leisurely pace, and an unplanned stop for a walking stick which managed to find its way down a bridge opening in to some caves, we made it down in 7 hours, around a half hour faster than our climb up.

Everyone now was openly aware that the hike was coming to an end and at times there was an a solemn air about the group. We drove down further south, stopping at a salmon farm to pick up some fresh salmon (as well as beer and wine!) for a last night feast. Coincidentally, tonight was also the only night where I was doing any cooking thanks a to a very serendipitous schedule. And I did not pay anyone off, honest!

Jan strutting her stuff...

At around 7pm, we pulled into a DOC campsite, set up camp and Jan started stuffing the salmon with dill and lemon, rubbing the outside with lemon and some oil. I worked on the carrots, broccoli and the potatoes. It was a group effort though, as everyone pitched in to peel the potatoes, fetch water for cooking and cleanup and set the dishes (we were eating on non-plastic and non-bowl dishes - hallelujah!). As a side note, the trip's been wonderful in being able to cook some real veggie-laden, relatively unprocessed food. And tonight's fish was no exception. We cooked the salmon wrapped in foil over the simmering embers of our camp fire as we started on the beer and wine (my authoritative beer review will be coming at the end of the trip: South African, Australian and New Zealand beers to review...I could have a beer now, come to think of it). I daresay the salmon came out perfectly and may be the best fish I've ever had - it was flaky, fresh and lightly smoky.

The Last Supper...