Tuesday 8th March 2011: From Captain Creek we followed the true left bank of the Pelorus River for some time, then sharply climbed (6 contour lines), then stay 200m above the river (avoiding some really steep cliffs) for probably ⅔ of the tramp before descending to the picturesque Emerald Pool and following a really beautiful section of the river out to the road end (1 hr). This last section of the track is suitable for one day picnic trips!

After our final lunch we had time to relax, explore and hunt sandflies at an otherwise idyllic setting. What do they eat when trampers are not there? Scientists claim sandflies (blackfly, Te Namu) are attracted to humans by the sweat and the moisture on the skin that sweat creates, funny how they still go for clean cool dry skin though. I think the Maori legend best describes the reason for their existence - the beauty of the South Island made people stop working and just gaze at the scenery so Hinenuitepo created te namu to keep them working!