Te Araroa 29/12/25

 Day 99, Anne Hut to Boyle Outdoor Center (2111). 

It was a good morning but the grass was long and wet so the nice dry socks didn't stay that way for long. 

Morning mist and wet grass

Bridge over the Henry River 

It was a thirty kilometer day but the ascents were not very steep so the climb to Anne Saddle was relatively easy.

Following up the Henry River 

Today's high point 

More grassy flats by the Boyle River

The descent to the Boyle River was also fairly straightforward and then the path follows the river with various ups and downs to avoid the river gorges.

Boyle River 

Landslip by the river

A good path, in places

One last bridge over the river and it was only a short walk to the Boyle Outdoor Center where I got a bunk for the night and a nice hot shower.

The last bridge before Boyle

Final walk through the trees to Boyle

Te Araroa 28/12/25

Day 98, Waiau Hut to Anne Hut (2081)

A beautiful morning but mist filled the valley as the sun appeared over the hill. 

Wet grass and morning mist

It was quite cold until the mist burnt off with the mountains appearing all around.

Sun breaking through 

The walk today was down the Waiau valley for most of the day and then turn up by the Henry River for six kilometers to the Anne Hut.

Still crossing rivers

The river was still very high and running in some unexpected channels making for a difficult river crossings as well as some swollen side streams.

Stunted trees on the flats 

Following down the Waiau River

Looking back up the Waiau River 

Small butterfly on large daisy 

Waiau Flats 

Walking across the grassy flats was a wonderful change with abundant flowers and lots of little butterflies.

The River Aida crossing, I hope I don't have to do another one like this!

The valley was reminiscent of Scotland but bigger. The last tributary I had to cross, the Aida River, was nearly a disaster as the spot I picked was deeper and running faster than I expected but I survived, just.

Towards the Henry River

Bridge over the Henry River 

A good path up to the suspension bridge across the Henry River, another spectacular one, then only a short distance to the hut.

Looking up the Henry Valley 

Anne Hut in the distance 

Anne Hut

Te Araroa 27/12/25

Day 97, Blue Lake Hut to Waiau Hut (2055)

It rained on and off all night but by the morning it had all cleared and there were wonderful views of the mountains with lots of new snow.

Morning view from the hut

Blue Lake, definitely blue this morning 

The route climbed up through the forest past the Blue Lake and steeply up to Lake Constance. These lakes have the highest water clarity in New Zealand.

Mountains behind Lake Constance 

Flooded area above Lake Constance with TA walkers

The flat area at the end of Lake Constance was awash as the rivers had all overflowed and it was all about ankle deep.

Lake Constance from the scree approach to the Waiu Pass

The final stretch to the pass

A long, steep scree slope went up to the snow line and then continued through rocks and more scree under the fresh snow with fantastic views of the mountains and lake.

TA walkers on the final stretch 

Looking back from the pass

The pictures don't do it justice but they are better than my prose!

Looking down to the Travers Valley 

A steep descent 

The pass at 1080 meters was cold and windy as expected and gave me a great view down into the Waiau valley.

Looking back to the Waiu Pass

An extremely steep descent took me down below the snow line and as the temperature increased I found a nice spot on the hillside for lunch and to sit and admire the view.

Below the steep part

More river crossing

Down then by the River Waiau which I had to cross a couple of times as well as crossing the tributaries, all of which were well swollen with the heavy rain.

Scree down to the river

After crossing a number of scree slopes that descended to the river and negotiating some sections of the path that were underwater

Keep descending 

The path arrived at a flat area where the river divided necessitating more deep fast river crossings.

And more river crossing 

There were lots of camping spots on the flat area but I wanted to get a bit further to the Waiau Hut to make it an easier day tomorrow.

Boyle Flats with the hut in sight

I arrived at the hut, all the bunks were taken but there was still some space on the floor as I was ahead of the peloton. 

Waiau Hut 

They took pity on me and I was offered a bunk but then some of the others decided to go bit further so there was a reshuffle but there were still five tents outside and about twenty million sandflies.

Probably the best day so far.

Te Araroa 26/12/25

Day 96, Upper Travers Hut to Blue Lake Hut (2038)

It rained heavily all night but eased in the morning and the forecast that someone got via satellite wasn't too bad so we all headed up to the Pass.

Morning view

The rain had stopped by the time I got to the Travers Saddle, 1787 meters, but it was very cold and windy and the cloud was low giving limited views.

Slowly clearing

Heading for the Travers Saddle 

The climb up was relatively easy but I wasn't looking forward to the 1000m descent as my shoes were rather worn and with all the rain, extremely slippery.

Marker at the Travers Saddle 

View down from Travers Saddle 

It turned out to be easier than I expected, only slipped once before I was into the trees and sheltered from the wind.

Typical river crossing

I got to the West Sabine Hut for lunch and read in the book that SJ, Di, Ruby and Peter had retreated from the hills and were getting out and going to Hamner Springs.

Walking through the woods 

I had planned to stop here but as it was earlier than expected I continued on up the river to the next hut.

Yet more river crossings

There were some great views of the mountains in the cloud, another lovely walk even though it did start to rain again in the afternoon.

Shelter stone 

I found a huge rock to shelter under and get some warm clothes on before continuing to the Blue Lake Hut.

And another 

The river was a raging torrent and the side streams were quite interesting to cross, no chance of keeping my feet dry even if they hadn't been wet already.

View from Blue Lake Hut 

There were a lot of people at the hut already as they had waited for better weather before attempting the next pass.

The Blue Lake looking green!

A cosy night with twenty two people in a sixteen bed hut.

Rather crowded in the Blue Lake Hut