Day 72 - Rintoul Hut

A cold cloudy start to the morning, but I was warm in the hut. The other travels and I discussed what our plans were for the coming day. The weather is looking like clouds all day, but perhaps a better weather window tomorrow. The rest we’re going to do a half day to Okd Man’s hut, I set off undecided. 

The morning passed by as expected, cloudy. I’m am in the high alpine now and the views would’ve spectacular. All I see however is a white blanket.

Around 11am however the clouds began to lift, giving me a view of the nearby mountains and deep valleys below. 

Eventually the clouds lifted enough to give me an excellent view of my surroundings. I sat on an exposed ridge and sat for a while. Here I was on the top of the world, clouds whipping up and around me. The only person for kilometres around. I could now see the vast expanse of mountains that laid ahead of me. The spine of mountains that split the South Island, as far as the eye can see. And I’d be walking right down the middle of them. It was surreal feeling. This is why I’m doing this I thought to myself, and I continued on. 

I got to Old Man’s Hut ahead of schedule, well above the hut. It was actually 200m below me in elevation. I scrapped the plan of staying there for the night and pushed on. Sitting around twiddling my thumbs until dusk makes me anxious. I need to keep moving. So I pushed on to the summits of Mt. Rintoul. 

Finally some proper alpine climbing. Exposed cliffs and walking on scree and talus slopes. I was in my element. 

The peak didn’t offer much in views, apart from some windows of clouds that would open. I was proper high up, and what glimpses I gathered showed me a vast mountain

range. 

Two people I passed, up on ridge behind me. Small specks.  

I scrambled down the rock face, reaching camp. Luckily water still in the tanks and places to pitch my tent. I was worried I’d go thirsty tonight. A great day today, fantastic ridges and remote mountain views.