“On a Mish” #201 The Best Way to Start to a New Year (Part One). Borland Saddle / Mt Burns Tarns. Fiordland National Park. 31.12.2015. If the weather is fine and the mish goes to plan, then it does not matter what time of the year it is. However, in my eyes the best way to see in a new year is to head to the hills and stay there until the next day. Back in 2015 I had been on a 21-day straight run at work and needed a little R&R. Thankfully I was living in Tuatapere which is only a short drive away from Fiordland National Park. So, after finishing all the ‘must do’s’ at work I loaded up my car and got ready to say goodbye to 2015 in one of the most picturesque places on the planet…
2015 had had an excellent end with me landing the role of ‘Track Manager’ on the Tuatapere Humpridge Track. The job was one that ate up most of my waking hours, but when your job takes you into South Fiordland complaining is not on my radar. That explains why, when I had a spare evening and then day off, I headed back to Fiordland National Park. Instead of going south I went north to the beautiful Borland Road, with the idea of seeing out the year near the Mt Burns Tarns.
The weather gods had given me the conditions I dream about when NOT on a mish, and as I turned off the highway between Tuatapere and Te Anau I was gifted the motivating sight of the Hunter Mountains with a bluebird backdrop. This was going to be epic, and it was made even better with the fact that it was New Years Eve. Forget your big parties full of noise and mayhem, I would far rather the peace and tranquillity found in one of nature’s last unspoiled locations.
I parked up on the Borland Saddle, which had a handful of cars dotted around. I was stoked to see others out enjoying the sunshine and epic scenery, I just hoped there wasn’t going to be anyone up near the tarns doing what I planned to do. I saddled up just as a big group of people piled into a van, these would be some of the very last humans I’d see in 2015.
Although it was now early evening time wise, I knew I had plenty of daylight left and rushing would just upset the chill vibe I was going for. The casual stroll up through the twisted beech forest below the Mt Burns Tarns is an excellent way to ease the senses before reaching open ground above the treeline. I wanted to have a campfire so a gathered a small amount of wood, but knew I’d be back to this spot for more after setting up my ‘New Year’s Campsite’.
I passed the last of the hikers as I neared the first tarn and after hearing about my plan a few of them continued on wishing they had done the same. I made my way around the first tarn and began to scan for potential places to pitch a tent. Most of this area was a bog so I continued along the wide ridge in search of a view west to the setting sun. Eventually I found a piece of land that was flat enough for my tent, dry, and most importantly faced west so I could watch the last light of 2015.
After pitching my tent and clearing out my pack I began to hike back towards Borland Saddle and the treeline to gather wood for my campfire. It was now around 7pm and I had the entire area to myself. As far as finishes to the year goes this was right up there with the best of them. Now all that was left to do was gather some fuel for my fire and so goodbye to 2015…
