Bobs Hut blog | July 2026

An expedition to find the coldest, uninsulated hut in midwinter was originally conceived as the start of a month-long trip back to a few of my favourite areas in the Nelson/Tasman region. Depending on my body‘s reaction, that might end up further afield.

I overachieved.

My body had an extensive workout over summer, ending in early April with eight days in the Eyre Mountains in Southland. Three and a half months later, my physical state should have stayed in good shape. After all, I’ve been averaging 14k steps around the streets of Nelson on a daily basis for most of the last two years.

Perhaps carrying eight days of food, 35 km up a valley, would be too stern a test.

Then, seven nights in frigid conditions with four big walking days, each involving crossing the Matakitaki River, meant I was continually wet and in the frost. The weather forecast was for a few nights around -8º C (17º F). Snow down to low levels.

It made me realise there were plenty of Very Important Things I really should be doing back home.

You can have too much of a good thing.