Today was one of those hiking days that's start off great, but ended crappy. Or goal was the southernmost hut on the trail (15 miles). The Longwood forest was a beautiful rain forest full of moss and ferns. In the late 1800's Chinese workers were brought in to build a 14 mile water ditch for gold mining. We spent the day hiking along and in the ditch. It was amazing to see the hard work. At times the ditch would be 7 feet deep, others we would cross using the old wood walls that held up the sides. Some sections were 3 foot tunnels carved into the mountain. The last 3 miles were uphill toward to beginning of the ditch where Martin Hut was located. The hut was built in 1905. We were exhausted when we got there and all we wanted to do was eat and sleep. The water source was dry so Shadow back tracked to find water. The only good thing about the hut was a bottle of Kentucky Blue (Bourbon mixed with sugar and water then rebottled in NZ). It always seems to happen that way. We hike by water all day, then you get ready to stop and it's nowhere to be found. I'm completely disappointed with the hut. The book says that this is the worst one and I sure hope that's the case.
I had two substantial falls today. I'm pretty sure that my right buttocks will be bruised in the morning. The second fall is hard to describe. Thinking back on it reminds me of the spitting incident on Seinfield with Kramer and Newman. We had to cross the ditch a few times and some of those crossings were on old logs from the dig walls. Shadow, with his long legs can step right over. Me on the other hand has to jump. Leading with my left leg my brain in mid leap knew I wasn't to going to make it across. My left leg went back to the log and the top half of my body continued to the other side. My arms wrapped the log on one side and my feet held on the other side. Sort of like Elastic Girl off the Incredibles. My torso, legs, and backpack hung over the running stream. Shadow chose against a great photo op and helped me get up without falling in. A couple of swigs of Kentucky Blue with rice and bean soup for dinner. More on the soup later.
Can you see the trail?
Gold mining dig for water on left.
Martin Hut
NZ Bourbon in the hut
Country Mouse and Shadow
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