Upper Edwards Valley

Today is the start of a classic Arthur's Pass National Park trip. We'll take 3 days to go up the Edwards, across Taruahuna Pass and Falling Mountain, up Tarn Coll, down into the Otehake Valley, up and over Walker Pass, and down and out the Hawdon Valley.

Today has been hot and sunny, particularly in the beech forest where there was little breeze and lots of up. We've taken 5 hours to Edwards Hut.

Just above the hut are board walks to protect the fragile alpine bogs and tarn system from damaging boots. The board walks are working as there is a small population of the rare and endangered Blue Duck.

What a fantastic day. It's many years since I was last in the Edwards, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.