tramping new zealand

A cool night, but I discovered that I slept for more than 9 hours for the first time since I started wearing a smartwatch more than 18 months ago. I’ve only had a handful of eight hours. Must’ve been tired.

No clouds means plenty of dew and condensation. But I was cozy enough despite my sleeping bag, which seems to have lost plenty of feathers these days. At least my old Thermorest sleeping mat seems reliable, unlike my two lightweight mats that both needed to be replaced, and then the new ones died just as quickly.

I wasn’t as speedy in getting away to Pinnacle Hut for a day walk. I waited until the sun had almost reached the tent by the time I had breakfast and extra rounds of coffee.

The DOC sign stated three hours to the hut, but I wouldn’t be carrying a pack, and that might be quicker. I left the tent up because of the dew, which might help dry out my sleeping bag.

The walk is entirely dramatic and has a well-beaten path, but I’m getting fitter, as I should have after starting tramping in early December. Just plenty of days off in between activities.

Today was big in the Activity Ledger, as was yesterday, climbing to Bus Stop. Today the saddle was just 1175 m or so up from 800 m, with Pinnacle Hut at around 900 m, so about 700 m of climbing in all, with the same descent.

I’m not too into collecting that data, but my fitness is as good as it’s been in a year.

Back at my now dry tent and sleeping bag, it was a case of packing up and getting back down the hill to the car park. That pack was feeling heavy, but it took another two hours to stagger down.

A quick change of footwear, you can’t drive easily in boots, and I raced around to Peel Forest. That will give me an earlier start to Growler Hut than the previous time, when I arrived at the destination around 8 pm. It’s the Equinox, so it will be almost dark by then.

I was back in my big tent for the night. That allows me to turn around easily inside, and my sleeping bag doesn’t touch any condensation on the inner lining.

34,000+ steps for the day. Phew!