tramping new zealand

Peel Forest campsite has been damp for me in the past, and in the morning repeated the experience.

I felt it was time to crawl into a bed for a night and recharge all those batteries. Oamaru it was, and a great sleep was had.

The weather changed from fine but cool, with a former tropical cyclone doing its thing further north. It’s not supposed to be of concern this far south, despite the grey morning sky.

It was time to check out three huts pretty close to Dunedin.

By the time I made it to the car park for Jubilee Hut, the wind was blowing in a burst of mist and drizzle. I should have packed my food and gear in my pack at my accommodation, but once again organised it all in the field.

It was 1 30 pm by the time I’d had lunch and packed up, but the weather had deteriorated.

At least the first third or so was in manuka forest that provided some shelter. By the time I made it to Pulpit Rock, which I couldn’t see in the murk, I was getting the full blast of the gusts, almost sufficient to knock me over. Glasses came off and were secured in a zipped pocket, as I didn’t want them to fly abruptly into the void.

Rain lashed my face.

The most vigorous section was going over some bare rock at Silver Peak, where the wind was furious. Then I dropped down the Devils Staircase, a 400 m steep descent that will be on the itinerary on the way out.

Some great silver beech forest on the valley floor, but it wasn’t long before I was at the vacant Jubilee Hutt.

Jubilant.

Yeah, I was wet and, for some reason, didn’t bring my full regalia for warmth, but I quickly made a hot dinner and slid into my sleeping bag to get toasty.

Whatever dry clothes I had, woollen pants, two warm vests, my threadbare puffer jacket, and a damp beanie helped some heat be retained.

It’s not cold, luckily.

It is damp.