Harper River Headwaters to Trust Power Campsite 27 k The night was at least as cold as anticipated- frost covered the tent this morning. The longer the grass, the more condensation there always is, and the damp cold river air sank like stones to wall us in. But it worked, it was quiet, and now …
2/9 Attack of the Keas
Arthur’s Pass to Harper River Headwaters 17 k It was a very chilly night, and misty clouds form a low, cold ceiling this morning. Prana gets up to put laundry in early, and when he does there is a loud thud against the top of tent. What the? There is also a raucous squawking, and …
2/8 The Case of the Missing Mouse
Upper Deception Hut to The Sanctuary at Arthurs Pass 12 k + 5 road k It was a frosty morning, a glittering spangled onto the shoes and socks where they were poking out below the tent fly. I was plenty warm all night, which was an unexpected treat, (although in retrospect likely due to the …
2/7 Flood and Deception
Taramakau/Otehake Confluence to Upper Deception Hut 23 k The morning sunlight was late to reach us, and when it finally did we got moving for a potentially long day. Super Mario and Princess Peach used a cairn motif on decorating their tent last night. Just kidding, they were trying to keep the stakes in place. …
2/6 What Makes A Trail
Hurunui Hut No. 3 to Taramakau/Otehake Confluence. 25 K What an amazing night’s sleep! The rain pattered and drummed on the roof last night, the wind gusted and blew, and even though the old building shook a little bit, it was cozy and warm and just plain easy. A bit after 7:00 one of the …
2/5 The 1940s Triple Decker
Kiwi Meadow to Hurunui No. 3 25 k We sleep through the alarm, and it is glorious. It is after 6:30 when we wake up, the temperature not cold. It is windy, a gusty wind that is reminiscent of the other day, but not nearly as strong or terrifying. We don’t have far to go …
2/4 The Hundred K Day
Boyle River to Kiwi Meadow 26 K Whew, it was chilly last night, the tents buried under the catabatic weight of the damp river air. The sun activates us when it hits the tents, and we caffeinate, fuel, and pack. In less than ten minutes we are at the Boyle River, and we all take …
2/3 Bored in Boyle
Boyle Flat Hut to Boyle River 14 K I sleep amazingly, in spite of Davy rattling and clanging until past 1:00 in the morning, and when I get up to make coffee, the water tap for the tank has broken. Well, shit. Lucky for me Prana is a chivalrous soul, and makes a pilgrimage to …
2/2 A Serviced Hut
Anne Hut to Boyle Flat Hut 17 k I slept so well last night- what a relief! I wake up ready to go at 7:15, so quietly get up to make coffee and write. Matthew, who slept out in the common area, is already awake and writing as well; the German couple is on their …
2/1 Inside the Cyclone
Anne Hut Layover Thank god it is finally light out. It is 6:15, and although the sun has likely been up for awhile, the storm clouds have squelched the light. The tent rattles and snaps around us, threatening to pull out at the stakes, to bend the trekking poles, to rip where the cords are …
muddy shoe memoirs 