tramping new zealand

It was time to do some work around the hut, so I trimmed trees and widened. the paths near the hut. The leaves were wet and big drops fell, but I managed to avoid most of them and persevered.

Collecting wood was an afternoon task, and I chopped it into sizes that would fit in the wood burner, or multiples thereof.

I cleaned what I could off the windows that were patchy green or stippled with mould and all that.

Eating.

And, I read books.

That filled the daylight hours.

Oh, time was spent looking at the history of the huts here, and how long it took most parties coming from Lake Poteriteri Hut, of which there had been 19 in the 16 years since the hut was built. Maybe it’s more common going the other way, but hut books are a fairly unreliable record of what people actually did.

10½ to 12 hours was the most common time to cover the trackless 17 km, and those who took longer generally didn’t have Mad Pom’s GPS route that directs you over the high points and incorporates the short trapping tracks at either end. Going around the edge of the lake, with its fallen trees to get over was a sure way to extend the experience, as two group described climbing up the steep and slippery escarpment to get to the flattened ridge.

The team I had watched in a recent YouTube video didn’t stay at this hut; instead, they camped very inconveniently in the dark. Two of that party had stayed at Slaughterburn Hut previously, so presumably knew what they were getting into.

I’ve been planning that route myself, but after my Achilles tear and this injury situation, it may be some disincentive for a future expedition.

Some actual rain fell during the day, but nowhere near the amount predicted.

I decided to check the weather early tomorrow morning, around 7 am, and possibly call for a ride. Or, if not so splendid, I was happy to wait until the following day.

Leg report. Mostly muscle pain of sufficient strife to think even hobbling back to Waitutu Hut would be a risk. No inclination to need winching through the forest canopy with any aggravation.