Te Araroa 17/12/25

Day 87, Browning to Slaty Hut (1908)

I set off early on a nice dry morning leaving the two youngsters asleep although one did wake up when my alarm went off and said "Good alarm, Monty Python"

Following the river down

A brisk walk down by the river for an hour or so and I met Martin walking out from the next hut to Nelson for more supplies.

Interesting trees

Hackett Hut 

Onwards past Hackett Hut and the start of the climb to Starveall Hut, the first section follows the river on both sides with multiple crossings.

Climbing up above the tree line

After balancing on the boulders for the first crossing I decided that it was dangerous and much easier just to walk through the river.

Excellent views

After many crossings the path finally left the river and climbed steeply up through the woods with very little let up to the hut at 1190 meters.

High open ridges 

I met two people in the hut who were also going on to the next one and I stopped briefly for lunch before climbing away over open scree to the top of Mount Starveall.

On top of Mt Starveall 

It was really good to be up high on open ground with views in all directions.

Mount Starveall is 1511 meters high and it was then down into the forest again for a steep descent to Slaty Hut at 1400 meters.

Down to Slaty Hut

The hut soon filled up and I was lucky to be there early enough to get a bunk. There were seven people in bunks, three on the floor and three camping outside on very unsuitable pitches.

It didn't smell very fresh!