Tuesday, 23 December 2025

Te Araroa 16/12/25

Day 86, Middy Hut to Browning Hut (1894)

It poured with rain last night and the river which was a gentle stream with emerald pools had become a raging brown torrent overnight.

Raging river
I felt sorry for the kids who were camped outside and had to pack up and get away in the rain.

Forest trail
I waited for it to improve and by eleven it had nearly stopped so I set out across the river on another suspension bridge and up the hill to Rocks Hut.
Plenty of water everywhere 
A steep climb, again through relatively open forest, with the trees showering me every time there was a gust of wind.
Rocks Hut
By the time I reached the hut the rain had stopped and it was looking a bit brighter.
High level forest
There was a girl at the hut who had decided to stay there and extra day due to the rain.
Distant hills 
The route follows the ridge then but still in forest with an occasional view. A little further on I reached an open section that lasted for a short distance before dropping back into the forest.
Nearly open ground 
Really great to escape from the tree roots and walk on a stony path.
Scrub

Bare hillside 
A descent then to the hut where I found two young lads from Nelson out for a few days hiking in the hills 

It was lucky that I went a bit further yesterday as it allowed me to be where I planned despite the late start. A great days walk.


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