Day 78 - Blue Lake Hut

A cloudy start again today as I climbed up Travers Saddle. The weather tomorrow looks abysmal so I’d like to put in another big day and get over the pinch point of Waiau pass as well today.

A big milestone today. The 2000km mark, and it was right near the saddle. 2/3 of Te Araroa behind me; Only 1000km to go. On the saddle I was visited by my first Kea. The worlds only alpine parrot. I felt very fortunate to see it, their population is unfortunately in decline. The are a little pesky however and will steal hikers things. 

I’m in big country now. Feels good.

I descended yet another gnarly valley. 1100m down. At the bottom there was a tiny inconspicuous bridge, but when I looked over I saw that it was an incredibly deep canyon. So deep I couldn’t make out the bottom, just the faint sound of rushing water far below. 

Taking shelter under a big rock to avoid some drizzle. 

I reached Blue Lake Hut at 2:30. I took a peak at Blue Lake. An absolutely stunning lake. From here I intended to move on the Waiau pass to avoid the bad weather, but it looks like it beat me. Low lying thick clouds caning rushing up the the valley shrouding everything I’m sight. I waited a while to see if it might blow over, but alas it was here to stay. As the rain started to fall I made my way back to Blue Lake Hut. Looks like I’ll be here for tonight and perhaps tomorrow if the forecast turns out to be true.