The Infamous Hinewai Hike

World Famous in New Zealand - Hinewai Reserve and Hugh Wilson

Today was the day to finally take our first serious hike. I'm not going to lie; we were all a little nervous about what a four-hour-long hike would feel like. However, I think we were pleasantly surprised to discover what a marvelous experience it was for us all. Sure, we are quite sore in all sorts of strange places due to climbing steep hillsides and practically sliding down the side of the mountain, but we did make it to the end.

Our first stop of the hike was a gorgeous waterfall. We all excitedly scampered down the steps to get a good photo of the natural landmark. 

The next stop before we truly began hiking was to visit an extremely old Tōtara tree, otherwise known as a male Podocarpus. This ancient being is around 600 years old! It was truly amazing to behold nature's patience in action. 

And of course, like the millenials we are, we had to stop and take a hike selfie.

As we hiked along, we would occasionally stop to admire the native plant life that had returned to Hinewai Reserve. The poro poro tree was one of the first to return after a wildfire erupted on the sanctuary. We also saw multiple kinds of beech trees as well as the cherished silver fern that has become a well-known symbol of New Zealand and its culture. 

But how can we talk about flora without talking about the fauna? As we tramped across the terrain, we would suddenly become silent as a tomtit or a group of silver eyes flitted across the trail ahead. Other birds that we spotted included an exotic blackbird, some chickens, a grey warbler, and brown creepers in the underbrush. 

And how could I make a blog post without somehow referencing New Zealand's resident Hobbits? We approached Lothlórien and soon descended upon an eerie path that looked too much like the place where the ringwraiths first searched for Frodo and his companions. 

After completing the trek, we made some new friends with the help of our human friend, Paul (a helper at Hinewai Reserve). Paul housed many endangered parakeets (red nosed Kakariki) as well as a large, female Akaroa wētā that some of us were brave enough to hold. As we discussed the animals, we had a few curious fantails hopping all around us. With only a lifespan of ~3 years, they sure make the most of it. 

Faintail (Piwakawaka)

Akaroa Weta

We ended our day back at the Visitor's Center where we played card games, watched magic tricks, and puzzled through a couple rounds of Mafia. Even Hugh Wilson, the primary caretaker of Hinewai Reserve, was invited to join us for dinner! At the sprightly age of 73, Hugh elatedly told us the history of the land and how he and two others manage the reserve. I was delighted to meet such an extraordinary naturalist who basically came up with the idea of leaving the exotic gorse on the mountainside. As has been proven, the native New Zealand plants flourish in the shade of the gorse and eventually grow tall enough that they shade the gorse in turn. Hugh is of the mind to let nature take its course (if possible), and his wisdom is currently help restore New Zealand to its original state. 

Back in Lincoln, at last 
~Maddie