Once again we awoke very early, as we were required to be on the track by 7:30 am, as we had to be at the Arthur Dock to meet the ferryboat that would take us to Milford by 2 pm. It was some 18 kms distant and unsure of our legs after the previous days pounding we started off on the track. The trail today was generally very good with a few sections that we rocky and uneven. We came across a section that contained graffiti carved into the rock face. Just so you understand this graffiti was carved by an early worker on the trail and is inscribed “Stenhouse May 2, 1898”. We walked through thick bush and finally by Lake Ada watching all the wildlife as we passed by. (My good friend Drew Mitchell would have enjoyed this walk, but he would have filled 10 sketchbooks to complete the track). We reached Giant Gate Falls for lunch with our fellow trampers and pushed on as the track became wider and flatter the closer we got to our goal. At 1:20 pm we rounded the corner and saw the trail end. It was a very emotional experience for all of us and one person said that it was their Everest; upon reflection I think I can honestly say the same for me. I have dreamed of this tramp for so long that it is hard to believe that Mary and I have accomplished it safely and met a great group of people along the way and we cant wait to tackle the next hiking challenge. I will concur with the thousands that have gone before us the The Milford Track is clearly one of the “Finest Walks in the World”.
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