WET & WILD ON THE MILFORD

THE first word you need to consider when taking on the Milford Track is rain. Get ready to be wet. Now sure, this doesn’t happen to everyone on the walk but it happens way more than you expect it to. And while it’s always best to avoid getting your feet wet at all, sometimes it’s impossible. This isn’t because your boots have failed, it’s because there is just too much water for too long. It’s coming in over the top of the boots and your socks are likely wicking that water down into your boots.

So what do you do when the inevitable happens? When you’ve had a day of boots full of water, the best way to dry them out is to remove the inner soles to dry separately, then unlace your boots to about half way. Take the laces and make a knot under the arch of the sole. With the remaining laces tie them upside down to a hook or rafter. On the Milford the ranger will often light a fire for you to dry