Te Araroa 26/01/26

Day 127, Stodys Hut to Hawea Camp (2616)

It was a bright clear morning but unfortunately clouds rose up from the valleys and some clouds shrouded the tops when I got to the high point.

Climbing away from Stodys Hut 

Overgrown Landrover track 

It was a relatively easy climb up to Breast Hill on an old Landrover track that zig-zagged up and swept round the hills before a steep climb to the top.

The Southern Alps in the distance 

Amazing views 

Lake Hawea through the cloud

Unfortunately the clouds gathered later and views were rather limited but it was a lovely walk along the ridge with a steep drop on one side and rather more gentle on the side I had ascended.

At the top of Breast Hill

Cloudy view 

And then it cleared

Amazing colour 

After reaching the Pakituhi hut the path descends a very steep scrambly ridge before reaching a zig-zag path that followed a gulley down to the road. 950 meters of very steep descent.

The ridge going down to Hawea village

The clouds had cleared by the time I was descending the ridge, typical, and it was getting very warm by the time I got to the road.

The final descent

The walk to Hawea on a gravel track beside the lake was hot and seemed longer that it really was and I was very happy to find the café open. It was too late for coffee as the machine had been turned off but I got a nice cup of tea and a cake.

Lake Hawea

The path by the lake

The campsite was crowded but there was plenty of space for TA walkers, we even get a discount and a free towel!

Great weather 

I could have had another dried meal but decided to go to the hotel for fish and chips. A good decision.

Camp entrance