“On a Mish” #439 Wet Feet in Fiordland (Part Three). West Cleddau Valley. Fiordland National Park. Southland. 11.8.2025. It would be nice to have every river, creek or stream bridged throughout Fiordland National Park. I’m sure originally that was the plan, and then it was discovered that Fiordland is one of the wettest places in the world, and a place famous for washing things away. During some storm’s sections of track, bridges and one rare occasions even entire huts have been forcefully removed by Mother Nature. This means that if you are going to go to a remote part of Fiordland National Park you better be ready to get wet feet!
Before getting to the spot between the two rivers I attempted to scramble along the true right riverbank. This was slow going and at one point my hiking pole disappeared into a bog hole and I had to do some digging to get it back! I wasn’t going very far but even the short distance was taking its time.
After finding my pole I decided it was time to get to the other side of the river as the travel was much easier. The first steps are always the toughest, and the fact that it was the middle of winter meant the water was extra chilly. With some discomfort I slowly waded through the river until I reached the dry stones of the true left. From here it was a simple rock hop up to where I wanted to camp, and once there any issues with wet feet temporarily disappeared as it took in the very impressive scenery.
My campsite was nice and flat; however, it was a riverbed so I needed to move many rocks before I could set my tent up. I had to use a stick to dig up and remove some of the bigger rocks which took some time. Eventually I had moved the worst of the boulders, and I had a sandy spot to sleep on. After organising the area, I set my tent up, and with that I was now camping in one of the best spots I’d ever camped in!
My favourite range is the Darran Mountains, and I was surrounded by there intensely steep splendour. From the door of my tent, I was looking directly up the Donne Valley at the white ice and snow of the Taoka Icefall and the peaks that surround it with a backing of perfect blue sky. It is amazing how a stunning scene can make you forget about your aches, pains and even wet feet!
It was at this point that my mission took an unexpected turn. After getting my sleeping bag out and getting my food ready to be cooked I thought it would be a good time to change out of my wet boots and soaked socks. Unfortunately, I realised as I searched my bag that the socks I was going to take were still at home with some of my other clothing. I had just done some washing and was going to grab the extra items before leaving. It looks like I’m gonna have wet feet longer than first thought in Fiordland!
