18km Day : 714 Total
26 January 2015
-41.653553, 172.997285

I got off to a 6:50 start this morning.  I think the early start is because this will be our 8th day of hiking since the last rest day.  Prior to this my longest stretch was 6 days and this longer stretch is starting to wear on me.  I’m ready for a break.  So even though it was still to far away to walk out today, the early start made me feel like I would get to St Arnaud quicker.  The true advantage was that the early start allowed us to walk more before the day turned hot.  Today was more like hiking in the Australian bush than what I’ve come to expect from New Zealand. 

Joerg and Rory caught up with me after about 90min even though they left 20min after me.  They are much better hill climbers than I am which allowed them to catch me so quickly.  My advantage is on the flat trails where I can stretch out my longer legs.  Joerg is the best climber with the strongest legs and Rory is the quickest and most surefooted on downhill sections.

Almost Like a Moonscape

Sidling a Scree Slope

We reached Hunters Hut at noon and stopped for lunch.  The increasing heat and the climb up to the hut wore me out and I took a nap for half an hour before continuing on. 

There was still more climbing to do and my pace reduced even more.  Joerg and Rory pushed on while I took a long break in the last patch of shade before the last climb to the saddle.

Sculpture on the Saddle

After Eight Days

It turned out that I reached Porters hut only minutes after Rory and Joerg.  They stopped for a swim at a stream crossing, where I only took a quick splashing while crossing.  Now I kind of wish I had taken the time for a swim.  I would certainly smell better if I had.

St Arnaud tomorrow.