“On a Mish” #410 The Little Ledge Above the Lake (Part Two). Lake Lyndon Area / Craigieburn Forest Park. 4.7.2024. I love the way outdoor adventures have so many benefits. Of course, there is the fact that you will see some stunning scenery while you move throughout the outdoors. But also, when you have found the perfect campsite or completed a big day out you are faced with the rush of achievement. I used to look for long hikes or peaks to climb, but now thanks to my hip I set my sights on slightly smaller targets…
A huge part of working in tourism and something I miss so much, is the sense of accomplishment you get when you are waving goodbye to the customers knowing these customers are stoked about their experience. Whether it was guiding people on many different hiking trails, or blowing people’s minds with the wonders of the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves. Nowadays I must look elsewhere to get the same sense of satisfaction.
The air was cool, and the sun was up. I looked up at the little ledge above the lake that I was aiming for and then shouldered my pack. An old 4wd trail had been ground into the side of the hill, and my thought was, if a vehicle can get up here then so can I!
Knowing I didn’t have far to hike meant I could take some more creature comforts and spread them out over two packs. My multi-pack system has helped many times on recent missions, but it did mean I’d have to go up and down the hill twice. I purposely made my first pack slightly lighter just in case I got up to the little ledge and there wasn’t anywhere to pitch my tent.
Step by step I slowly ground my way upward on the old trail. The area’s beauty provided a good distraction to the building pain in my hip and back. With each break I could see more and more of the landscape around me, and eventually I topped out on the little ledge. Thankfully there was an excellent spot near some matagouri, but before I could get set up, I had to head back down for my second pack.
On the way back down, I attempted to jog, and this proved to be a bad idea. Not too far from the bottom of the hill Georgie darted across where I was walking, and this sent me flying. I tripped forward which meant I fell belly first onto one of my hiking poles. The handle dug into my gut (luckily not into my hip) and caused instant discomfort, however if the pole was around the other way the spike would have impaled me! I decided that it was much better / safer to walk (less risk of having a tumble), and I carefully descended the last section back to my car.
Part one had been completed and I had successfully discovered that the little ledge I had seen while camping back in 2023 was perfect, and now all I had to do was drag my second pack up to the spot so I could then get that feeling of satisfaction I constantly crave…
