Author: Richard

5 Feb. It sounded like a night of heavy rain, but on a 08:30 river recce with Fred, we found the level has dropped overnight by a metre. It was still an impassable cloudy torrent, but fortunately it was going down. Back to the hut for breakfast and another morning in close confinement. Everyone is … Continue reading Kiwi Hut – River Bound 2

4 Feb. A warm night sleeping on a top bunk in the hut, interrupted by the sound of heavy rain on the corrugated iron roof. It was about 09:00 before anyone got out of their sleeping bag; everyone knew that we were going nowhere today. I donned my wet gear and took a walk down … Continue reading Kiwi Hut – River Bound 1

3 Feb. The plan for today was to be at Arthur’s Pass Village by the evening, however the river levels forced a change to that. The light rain had continued through the night. Everyone was awake about 06:30 and I was off at 07:45. I caught up with Demelza and Rau and decided to stick … Continue reading Locke Stream Hut to Kiwi Hut

2 Feb. 08:00 departure following Demelza and Rau. First day of real rain, which initially was very light. Temperature was about 20C so it felt close and I didn’t need my waterproof jacket for a while. I passed Demelza and Rau after a couple of hours of grass flats and beech forest and stopped at … Continue reading Hurunui No 3 Hut to Locke Stream Hut

1 Feb. One of the shorter days, so up at 06:30 and took time over breakfast. Off at 08:30. The terrain was similar to the previous days, beech forests and grass flats. Unfortunately I missed seeing any signs for the natural hot pools, so arrived at Hurunui Hut at 11:30 after just over 10km. Most … Continue reading Hurunui Hut to Hurunui No 3 Hut

31 Jan. Up at 06:30 to an overcast morning. I now have a breakfast variation adding granola to porridge. Definitely more appealing and more bulk. Got away at 08:15 behind most and passed Rau and Demelza on the flats heading up to Kiwi Saddle. Not much of a climb, but a 250m decent to Lake … Continue reading Hope Kiwi Lodge to Hurunui Hut

30 Jan. The day started in Hanmer Springs with yoga and Steve’s excellent breakfast. After a final pack, I got on the scales. Body weight has gone up over the four days a kilo to 67kg. Pack weight has gone up to 24kg. All extra food! So that is a pack weight of 35% body … Continue reading Boyle River to Hope Kiwi Lodge

28 Jan. The final full day in Hanmer Springs started with the same routine of 08:00 yoga followed by breakfast. A good portion of the rest of the day was spent with Mary jo in a QHHT session. It is a form of therapy which I found it very reflective and informative. I am back … Continue reading Hanmer Springs 4

28 Jan. An 08:00 yoga session with Mary jo and another group of ladies (Carrie, Angela and Olga) here for an Indian head massage course, followed by another great healthy breakfast from Steve. Chara is also on the course. She is from Barbados on a working holiday visa and “wwoofing” with Mary jo. Wwoofing was … Continue reading Hanmer Springs 3

Different daily routine! Up at 07:30 for 08:00 90 minute yoga session with Mary Jo and a group of 4 ladies having their own retreat. Then enjoyed a full organic breakfast prepared by Steve followed by another hours massage from Chara. My shoulders are still tight, so may need further work in the next few … Continue reading Hanmer Springs 2