On the Harry Ell track
I've been working out on walking the Harry Ell track to get my fitness up. The Harry Ell Track is a walkway that climbs the hill just above Dyers Pass Road and goes up to the Sign of the Kiwi on the Port Hills. It good as a fitness track because it forces you to work quite hard to finish it.
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| Starting on the walkway at the carpark, Harry Ell Walkway |
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| A platform on the lower reaches of the track |
I've been walking the track in the weekend as a fitness track and it is very good...you are on an incline to whole way and it is roughly an hour to climb the track and an hour down. It is ok as a track as you are in the sun for 3/4 of the way and it is covered with scrub only for the for the top and bottom of the track.
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| Cross the road and up the track, Harry Ell Walkway |
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| The lower reaches of Hoon Hay Hill |
There are some spectacular views through the middle with the forest park and the Port Hills on view thru the section. There was a tonne of people out walking the track over the weekend although they dint bother me....
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| The Harry Ell Walkway up on the higher slopes |
I walked up to the top of the Walkway and then stopped to have a rest to have a drink of water. Then I walked back to the car on the track I had followed to the top...
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| Track about 1 kilometer from the end, Harry Ell Walkway |
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| I reach the top of the Harry Ell Walkway |
I expect to be walking the track on a regular basis over the next two months as I build my strength and stamina for the Milford Track in early January. I'm hoping that I can build my strength for this trip and I am doing all I can to work out for this tramp.
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| Upper slopes of Christchurch Adventure Park |
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| Awesome views of Canterbury are possible from the Harry Ell |
I have tramps planned for the Woolshed Creek and Abel Tasman to build my strength and am looking for some easy to hiking walks for the future. I am slowly building my strength for the walk of the Milford and I happy with my progress so far. The point where I will be able to say will be the point I can walk 20 kms and still feel fine...
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| The Christchurch Adventure Park |
I'm hoping to get back near where I was pre stroke and am getting out amongst it in an attempt to get my fitness up.
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| Crossing the carpark at Victoria Park |
Anyway I look forward to the weekends to get out in the outdoors.
