I met Andy “Blue Duck” during an overnight stay at the Mt. Fyffe Hut. The next day, we drove from the Kaikoura Ranges to one of the inviting surf beaches on the east coast near Kaikoura – a stone’s throw away, as the mountains here reach right down to the coast. Andy is also a bit of an artist (and a life artist), was building his own house at the time, and is the creator of the “giant throne” in Kaikoura town centre.
Kaikoura is well-known as a spot for whale watching or swimming with dolphins, as a cold current from the south mixes with the warmer waters of the Pacific here, creating an excellent food source for these mammals. The tip of the Kaikoura Peninsula is home to a seal colony and many birds. Right behind the coast, the Seaward Kaikoura Range rises up with peaks reaching 2600m. Sir Edmund Hillary once prepared for his Everest ascent here. Much easier, however, is the hike to the cosy Mt Fyffe Hut, where I enjoyed this great view, a hot tea by the wood burner, and good company and conversation late into the night.
The rugged Kaikoura Ranges lie just a few kilometres behind the east coast of the South Island and reach heights of up to 2,500m. These craggy, wild mountains were the ideal training ground for Sir Edmund Hillary before his Everest ascent. Mountaineers, hikers, mountain bikers, paragliding enthusiasts, water sports fans or nature lovers will find excellent conditions for their sport in the region.
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