Hasst (30.01.16)

The route from Wanaka to Hasst followed the edge of Lake Wanaka for some time but as we left the lake behind the landscape changed to dense natural rain forest which covered most of the land. You could certainly get lost in amongst the trees and there weren't any paths to follow. Steve and I joked about burying a body because one things for certain it would never be found so folks if you want to get rid of the mother-in-law take her on a trip to New Zealand.

As we went through Hasst Pass we stopped to see Fantail Falls and had to walk a short way through the forest. As the site was public there was a path but the trees on either side were still close together and the ground was full of fern type plants. The canopy was about 30 foot high and it cut out a lot of light. The forest opened up at one point, Hasst Gates, and there was a thunderous waterfall but afterwards it was back to the greenery.

 Hasst itself was a total non-event. Split into 3 separate areas,  Hasst Township, Hasst Junction and Hasst Beach there was nothing to choose between them but a night here cut down the mileage we would have to had done to get to the glaciers