Day 2
21.3 km
Cum 43.2 km
Camped: Waalegh
The kookaburras were awake before 5am this morning…and so was I. Not that I had much rest during the night! Again!
So I packed up the pretty wet tent. Wet mainly due to internal condensation with the huge temperature variance. I estimate that it was approximately 3C at a minimum, based on forecast.
It was misty when I got out the tent and pretty chilly. I had everything packed up and was off by 06h40 .
I was at Ball Creek hut by 07h15, to find a still sleeping hiker inside. I kept walking. The black Cockatoos were flying and screeching. They have very bright red and orange tail feathers- pretty spectacular! While we are on birds, also spotted many small pretty birds, some all green, others red and black and even a blue wren!! But it just flew past very quickly and didn’t sit nearby.
After a fair bit of up and down I got to Helena Hut just after 10am. So I had my standard brunch of wrap, cheese and salami. I decided not to do breakfast on this trip as I never felt like any before when hiking in NZ. Its also no messing around in the morning then. We will see how this approach goes.
I still had about 8km until the next hut and could definitely feel the back pack…my hip joints are pretty sore , as are my shoulders. So I take 5-10min breaks every hour or so as I do this next very hilly bit. Its very up and down and I’m just thinking…man! I’m so pack and hill unfit!!! Let’s hope that changes soon!
I got to Waalegh Hut just after 3pm to find a lovely mother and daughter (Claire and Ruby) and we chat throughout the afternoon and make a small fire in the evening.
I took my tent out upon my arrival but it didn’t fully dry as there wasn’t much wind and no sun. So I decided to do the night in the open sided hut. With the food bags hung up, hopefully the critters won’t get in!
PS The toilet here is so far away!! Its a mini trek to get there!
