Author: Richard

26 Jan. After 17 days of walking covering 349km of the trail, a few rest days are going to help put some energy back into my body. I am two days ahead of the planned schedule by foregoing a rest day in St Arnaud and putting in some long days to complete the Nelson Lakes … Continue reading Hanmer Springs 1

25 Jan. Anne Hut is modern with fly screens on the windows so it was a good night’s sleep with plenty on ventilation. Everyone was up around 06:00 for a longish day to get to Boyle Village and another break point for rest/resupply. I was off at 07:40. It was a day of valley walking … Continue reading Anne Hut to Boyle Village

24 Jan. Early start at 07:45 to push 34km today, but mostly descending down the valley. Just over a 9 hour day arriving at 17:00. After the first couple of hours the valley opened up to large grass flats where the walking was the easiest yet. As someone said, today was the first time they … Continue reading Upper Waiau Camping to Anne Hut

23 Jan. Up at 06:00 to take some atmospheric photos of Blue Lake. Started walking at 08:00 with a slight detour to see the source of the lake and then on upwards to Lake Constance where I met Peter from the US who was taking a snack break and some photos. I snacked as well … Continue reading Blue Lake Hut to Upper Waiau River Camping

22 Jan. Very hot night in the hut bunk room. Ventilation is difficult as there were no fly screens on the windows and an open window would have been a party invitation to the sandflies. Off at 08:10 this morning to scale Travers Saddle (1787m). Caught up the Yuya from Japan. He has been on … Continue reading Upper Travers Hut to Blue Lake Hut

21 Jan. Awake at 06:00, but it takes longer to pack up from a hotel room than it does from a hut! It was 08:15 before I was on the trail again, with a heavy pack of food supplies for a week. The first 11km section along the lake side (Lake Rotoiti) was a good … Continue reading St Arnaud to Upper Travers Hut

20 Jan. Up again at 06:00. Off at 07:10. An easy walk down a 7km four-wheel drive track to State Highway 63 and 10km along the road into St Arnaud. NZ roads can be quiet, but the first car to pass me with my thumb out was after 40 mins and 2.5km of walking, all … Continue reading Red Hills Hut to St Arnaud

19 Jan. Only a 12km, 500m climb, 4.5 hour day. The altitude was lower and the track followed valley sides with many creek crossings. Not the long distance views of previous days but different and interesting country none the less. It was going to be longer day, going on to St Arnaud, but Stefan was … Continue reading Porters Creek Hut to Red Hills Hut

18 Jan. Another 07:30 to 18:45 day covering 18 km with about 1200m of climb, but I did spend an hour or so on the tops as the views were so amazing and there was signal for post uploading. I also spent a 2 hour lunch break at Hunters Hut to avoid some of the … Continue reading Top Wairoa Hut to Porters Creek Hut

17 Jan. Firstly, thank you to all who have made donations to the charities I am sponsoring. 57 of you so far and still a couple of months to go. From yesterday’s glorious day to the longest day. An 11.5 hour day from 07:30 to 19:00, covering 26km with about 1000m climb. The track gave … Continue reading Rintoul Hut to Top Wairoa Hut