Te Araroa 18/01/26

Day 119, Geraldine to Royal Hut (2395)

It was a damp morning when I got the shuttle up to the trail head, seven people all hoping for a good days walk.

Shuttle to the start 

The rain had stopped by the time we reached Forest Creek and after some discussion about the state of the rivers we all decided to take the Forest Creek route rather than the more dangerous Bush Stream track.

Forest Creek,(the easy one!)

The Forest Creek route follows the river of the same name up the bank and then on the stones and gravel of the river bed.

First crossing 

There were three crossings of the main river, one of which was at the limit of my crossing ability, the other two easier before starting a steep climb up to the Bullock Bow Saddle (1692m)

Survived that one

At the end of the day I met a girl, who's name I have forgotten, who had been swept about thirty meters downstream and lost her pole and everything that was in the pockets of her rucksack.

Good track up to the saddle 

After the initial very steep climb followed by some tussock grass and spiky bushes the route followed an old Land Rover track which climbed steadily, with a few switchbacks, to the saddle.

Looking back

Looking forward 

Down then to meet the Bush Stream track 450 meters below.

Beautiful descent 

A tempting camp spot

A wet and muddy path took me up to the Royal Hut so called because it is rumoured that Prince Charles and Princess Anne were here when they were children.

Can you see the hut?

The hut was full when I got there but there was plenty of space to camp and I joined the other three tents outside.

The route I took went up Forest Creek, the river below the green patch of trees

It was a cold night.