tramping new zealand

30,000 steps yesterday, including climbing 600 m from Diggers Hut and another 250 m from Nicholsons Hut.

I felt it was an energetic day with just a half-filled pack.

Is that what the doctor ordered?

Today was almost as far, but it was all on a better track. If the previous days had been solitary, today was more social.

At one point, I met three trail bike riders who said I was the first person they had seen. I mentioned they made 15 for me, and while we were talking, five more went past. The three guys took off, and another five went past, almost all going the wrong way, and if not, with other occupants filling all seats.

I’d be happy to hitch a ride, but it wasn’t to be.

Instead, I plodded slowly on.

I certainly was weary when Potters Hut finally came into view. Turned out there were two of them, one stone with two tiny windows, a chimney, and dirt floor, although it must have been a struggle getting firewood up the hill.

Yes, the stone hut had a wet dirt floor and didn’t appeal, and neither did the steel-clad hut.

Despite a prediction of rain, I put the tent up. Initially, it was some distance from the huts because others might turn up, But the slope eventually got to me, and I ended up on Green grass next to the picnic table.

Sometimes, the effort to move can be worthwhile.

Looking up the main valley, I could see the ridge I went down and up the day before, and at the time looked across to where I was now standing. As I could see these two buildings in the afternoon light.

I’d certainly been on a circumlocutary route to get here, rather than straight A2B.

The next day, I’d be walking back 10 km I’d traversed in the afternoon, and then another 12 km to the car.

Another big day.