Author: Richard

25 Feb. A good night’s sleep apart from a couple of possums scrapping on the hut verandah. Today there were two options. The first was to Roses Hut, 11km with two big 420m climbs and descents and the second option was to do that and push on past Roses Hut to camp at Macetown, another … Continue reading Highland Creek Hut to Roses Hut

24 Feb. Another TA walker arrived just before me last night and we had adjacent tents. Rhydian from Christchurch was south-bound. He had given up his rental home and put all his stuff into storage while he was away. Good way to save money! He liked the campsite so much he decided to take a … Continue reading Glendu Bay Motor Camp Site to Highland Creek Hut

23 Feb. It’s been six months or half a year since Jenny died, and I have now covered half the South Island Trail, 677 km in all. Her presence with me has grown stronger through the peace and joy that the journey has brought me and she has certainly been looking after my fitness and … Continue reading Jump: Wanaka to Glendu Bay

22 Feb. It was a cold night and the first where I have really appreciated my sleeping bag. Today’s walk destination was Tekapo but the last 17km is on gravel road, so I yesterday, while I had mobile reception on the ridge, I booked a shuttle from Boundary Stream for noon. The other walkers wanted … Continue reading Camp Stream Hut to Boundary Stream Car Park to Lake Tekapo

22 Feb. The weather was of concern today with rain and high winds forecast; it might prevent crossing Stag Saddle. Off at 08:00 up the valley to Royal Hut. Rain started on the way but nothing heavy. I arrived at 10:00. Pablo, Joe and Coey were already there and were waiting out the rain. A … Continue reading Stone Hut to Camp Stream Hut

20 Feb. The shuttle left at 08:15, close to the Crown pub outside the Central Cafe which opened at 06:00, so by 07:00 I had ordered my big breakfast to get the day off to a caloried start. Michael took us on the 90 minute journey to the section start at Bush Stream. Svenja had … Continue reading Geraldine to Bush Stream to Stone Hut

19 Feb. I was out of my tent at 06:00 thinking that I would have to be quiet around the hut but everyone was already up getting breakfast. All were anticipating a long day. Fiona and Sheila were off before us, heading out to their car. There were fewer streams for drinking water along this … Continue reading Manuka Hut to Potts River Car Park and Geraldine

18 Feb. There were a few drops of rain overnight, but the air is very dry and it was the first camp on the trail where I haven’t woken up with a wet tent due to condensation. Nice to pack away a dry tent. Up at 06:30. 07:45 departure, one of the first off. I … Continue reading Comyns Hut to Manuka Hut

17 Feb. A slow start to the day reloading my pack and checking out of the Abisko Lodge. Steph has been a great host there. The Alps2Ocean shuttle journey pickup was scheduled from the Primo cafe at 12:00 and cost $30-45 depending on numbers. The shuttle gets me back to the trail on the other … Continue reading Glenrock to Comyns Hut

16 Feb. A day waiting for the worst of the cyclone to go through. Late morning I had a leg stretch (without pack) 9km around the Methven Walkway which circles the town. It was a dry day with strong winds and dark clouds hanging over the mountains. I expect most of the rain will be … Continue reading Methven 2