Day 100 - Pakituhi Hut

A very cold night last night, the coldest yet. I had all my layers on and was still waking up cold. A similar story for everyone else in tents. 

Hut culture is funny, everyone wants a bed in a warm hut, and since it’s first come first serve everyone ends up silently and politely as possible racing eachother to the next hut to claim a bed. The question is always the same, “which hut you going to today”? We’re all pushing hard today in the hopes of scoring a bed.

Today there was the option to take the forest track or the river track. Both right next to eachother, but in high floods the forest track is necessary. The water level was low today and I elected to take the river route.  

The river was still grey with silt still. I really enjoyed this section, route finding around deep currents and under fallen trees. Ironically my favourite trail days are often the days where there are no trail at all. 

Eventually I couldn’t feel my feet anymore they were so cold, so I gained the forest track. 11am photo on the slippery steep trails above the river. I found a camp spot with a nifty looking handmade rock fire stove, chimney and all. 

The second part of the day had me scramble up a mountain above the tree line. A beautiful section giving me expansive views, although it was exceedingly cold. Wind and hail pelted my face, and my breath came out in great clouds as I climbed. 

If there’s grass in NZ there will be sheep. 

I peaked Breast Hill which gave me an excellent view of Lake Hāwea and the town of Wānaka. 

Although it was early, not even 4pm, I decided to stay at Pakituhi Hut. Mostly because beyond this point I would have to pay for accommodation in town, and there was a spare bed for me in the hut. Hooray! 5 people ended up sleeping on the floor and 3 more in their tents. I won the polite silent race.