January 20 29kms 8 hrs 20 mins
Off wandering up the valley on a 4WD track and easily navigated the bog at its end before starting the climb up through the forest towards the Kiwi Saddle area. From there sidling the hillside downwards, with occasional glimpses of Lake Sumner. Out into the open for a short while at the head of the lake, but soon enough back into a the forest wandering along for some distance - ostensibly to avoid boggy patches on the open valley floor.
Exited the forest at the sign for the Upper Hurinui swingbridge, but soon enough wandered off track towards the other side of the valley. The crossing of the river there was significant, but viable, and another chance to practise my solo river crossing skills. Almost immediately the track then climbed up a short distance to the spacious Hurinui Hut for a welcome lunch stop.
From there the track follows the river upstream, mostly in the forest, but occasionally exiting to river flats ... with minimal markers, but not hard to guess the direction of travel, while still watching out for the next forested section. A real highlight part way along is a natural hot pool, so a chance for a refreshing dip for all parts of me that could get below the water level - the hungry sandflies set to on the rest !
Then not much further to the old Hurinui No 3 hut for the night. On entering the foyer there were a set of old canvas bunks - but no cause for concern as through the next door were the main bunks with full mattresses !
No comments:
Post a Comment