Tuesday, 23 December 2025

Te Araroa 22/12/25

Day 92, Hunters Hut to St Arnaud (1992)

A beautiful morning, cold, what else at 910 meters?, but a completely clear sky with the sun just touching the peaks when I woke.

A clear morning 

A steady climb up through the forest which I made the most of as this is the last day in the Richmond Ranges.
First view of the Wairau River
There were some open spaces amid the varying tree cover with nice views and all too soon I reached the top of the ridge where there was a proper track.
Good path through the trees

Moss on the trees

An occasional view

I arrived at a gravel road which I followed for a short distance before reaching the 'main' road.
Track down from the hills
It was very different to be walking down a track and although it was steep it was certainly faster than more recent descents
Eight kilometres of road walking which went very quickly and I arrived at St Arnaud where I had a hostel bed for the next two nights.

Road walking for a change 
There were loads of TA walkers there, some arriving, some leaving including Ruby who was meeting her dad for the next two weeks walk.
Cattle and hills
A quick pizza before I showered, did my laundry and started trying to sort out my phone as the plan I had purchased on arrival in New Zealand had expired.

Alpine Lodge

It turned into a wet evening and night, a big change from the morning.

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