My great Kepler (birthday) Hike

My birthday was coming closer and I discovered that I would have to work the whole day... My original plan was to do a big hike, one of the 'great walks' and Max was going to join me. So the solution for that was to do my birthday hike before the actual birthday. We were doubting wether to do the Kepler track, the Routeburn or the Milford track. But after some advice, the only option that wasn't dangerous or expensive was the Kepler track. Because it's of the season now, the tracks aren't taken care of anymore and could be dangerous now that it's getting winter. I was pretty stoked and couldn't wait to hike again! It's been months and it's one of the things I needed the most right now. The day before, I got us some good hiking snacks and we cooked some pasta. The best thing about hiking is the amount of candy we can eat without feeling guilty! A lot of travellers invest in some proper hiking/cooking gear.. but we just packed some bananas and muesli bars. Hell yeah I was so damn ready for it! We would hike the Kepler track in 3 days and stay in 2 huts. The first day was mostly forest and uphill, but oh god it was beautiful! The forest was packed underneath a big layer of shining green moss. I felt as if I was in a fairy tail! Although walking uphill reminded me of the fact that for my age, I should be so much fitter... The moment you come out of the forest, you are stunned by the beautiful view on the mountains. Luxmore hut, our first hut wasn't far anymore. It was only 2 pm so we'd have time enough to check out the hidden caves next to the hut. When arrived on Luxmore, we couldn't believe how 'luxurious' the hut was! We'd never slept in one, but expected a crappy old hut with a couple of bunk beds. Guess we were wrong! And it had the most beautiful view ever... I wouldn't mind waking up there every morning! Also all the kia birds flying around were magical. They are the most dumb and funny looking parrots I've ever seen! It was getting past 6 o'clock and the light began to disappear. Not much to do in a hut after dinner... So we played some cards with the other hikers and decided to tuck into our sleeping bags. Eventually it was good that we went to bed so early, because we woke up every hour of the cold. I was wearing everything I had, but was still freezing. I guess that's what happens when you sleep 1000 meters high haha. The next day supposed to be the most beautiful, and they were right. I felt on top of the world and could clear my head completely. It's been a while since I felt so relaxed and satisfied. We went from Luxmore hut to Iris burn which took us only 6 hours. Also the weather wasn't bad at all! Of course it was cold, that's what you get when you walk in the mountains, but the sun was shining bright and kept us warm the whole way. At the top of Mount Luxmore, I even put down a stone to remember my grandfather. It was a beautiful moment and it felt like the right thing to do. Arriving at Iris burn at 3 pm was necessary. Our legs began tos suffer. We ate some pasta and again, went to bed early. We had to come up with a solution to keep warm, so I ended up sleeping together in Max's sleeping bag. I remember waking up with the noise of footsteps around 5 in the morning, thinking "what crazy person is going to start hiking now, the sun only rises at 7.30". But afterwords we discovered that it was all the kia birds eating and messing around with all the hiking shoes. Mine were only half eaten, but some of the people had to go on a little treasure hunt to find their boots.

Day three was downhill through the forest. Although it was the same view for hours, I didn't mind. I felt one with mother nature. My whole body felt tired, but inside was this rush of energy that kept me going. After just working day in day out, a multiple day hike boosted everything again! At the end of the Kepler track, we tried hitchhiking to get back to the car. There was only one problem.... Because of a situation with a girl, we had to move out of our house the day before we started Kepler... So there was no home to go back to. Luckily we could crash at my colleagues place for a night and have a deserved hot shower. We bought them some chocolate because of their hospitality (and because we bought so much for ourselves) and went to bed. Not knowing where we would sleep the next day, and I had work in the morning.

Looking back on this little 3 day adventure, it was exactly what I needed. The right thing on the right time. Me and Max had some lovely and deep conversations, but we would also walk quietly next to each other for hours. Just enjoying the moment. Max payed for all my accommodation, as a birthday present. And I'm so grateful. It was the best present ever!