Day 140, Te Anau to Aparima Hut (2854)
It was a bright and beautiful morning when the shuttle picked up Pete, Dean, Saskia and myself at the Holiday Park.
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| Getting a coffee at the start |
Unfortunately my tent was still wet from last night's rain but I planned to use it again today anyway.
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| The first road section |
There have been reports of a sickness bug around the next few huts so I intend to stay in the tent, it may be safer.
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| The first hut at the start of the woods |
We were dropped off at the Sprig and Thistle, a coffee van at the end of the Princhester road, and we had coffee and buns before Pete revealed that his thumb had swollen up last night and was getting worse so they decided that it would be safer to go back to town and get it looked at rather than heading for the hills for several days.
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| Into the forest |
Saskia soon left me behind as I walked up the gravel road to the first hut, this was the short day option for yesterday.
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| Typical path problems |
On then into the beech woods, it was quite muddy after yesterday's rain as I climbed up to the saddle before dropping down to open areas of tussock grass and bog.
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| But beautiful |
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| Out into the bog and tussocks |
The grass made it impossible to see where I was putting my feet at times and I stumbled over many a hole and lump. In the places where the path was visible it was bog, a couple of places with knee deep holes. Very hard to get out of.
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| Squelch |
At least the open areas had some lovely views but it was impossible to look at the view and walk at the same time!
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| The path's under there somewhere |
A final climb over a nice dry hill and down to the hut. There was a good camp spot just before crossing the fence to the hut on the 'private' estate.
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| Where's the path? |
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| At least you can see the path through the trees |
I could think of no good reason for not camping there, so I did.
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| Not so easy in bog and tussocks |
It wasn't just me that found it a hard day, I don't think we were expecting as much bog.
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| Slightly illegal camping by the Aparima Hut |
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