Category: TA Trail

12 Feb. Outdoor time kicking in again so up at 06:30, said goodbyes to Katrina and Mark as they were departing later with a destination of Goat Pass Hut, but I was going further. I was walking at 08:10 and the river bed route continued, getting steeper towards the head of the valley. I reached … Continue reading Lower Deception Valley Camp to Bealey Hut

11 Feb. Today’s aim was to get back on the trail where I left it in Arthur’s Pass. However the intercity bus and the train were fully booked, so it was going to depend on my success hitching the two hours from Christchurch. At 09:15 my friend Anara collected me and my again full pack … Continue reading Christchurch to Morrison Foot Bridge to Lower Deception Valley Camp

10 Feb. It was a super moon last night and very bright on the campsite, providing a good test of my phone camera’s low light level capabilities. After a slow breakfast, we packed camp and drove over the hill to Akaroa. We were on the water by 11:30 for a two hour paddle down Akaroa … Continue reading Akaroa Excursion 2

9 Feb. Another different day from walking; a road trip to Akaroa, just south of Christchurch. On an early start to collect a hire car from Omega Car Rentals, walking through deserted Christchurch streets at 07:30, I hear a shout “Hey Richard“. It was Mike Gilbert from Wellington out for a morning run. He was … Continue reading Akaroa Excursion 1

8 Feb. A Much better nights sleep; must be going soft! Got the outer layer clothing (wind proof and rain jacket) hand washed with Nikwax Tech Wash. (it doesn’t destroy the waterproofing like normal detergent). These will drip dry on the balcony today. Headed into town under light showers to find somewhere for a watch … Continue reading Christchurch 2

7 Feb. Not a great night’s sleep in the Carlton Mills Hotel; need to get back to bush sleeping! Nothing wrong with the comfortable hotel room. The hotel has a guest laundry, so with the first laundry load I had a full breakfast at Vic’s Cafe a short walk away. On my 45 min walk … Continue reading Christchurch 1

6 Feb. The hut occupants fortunately spilt into early and late leavers which eased the breakfast scramble and gear packing within the confines of the hut. The first group got away about 06:45 and I was with the second wave of Demelza, Rau, Fred, Rachael, Miriam and Dan who left a tidy hut for the … Continue reading Kiwi Hut to Morrison Footbridge

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