We woke to the sandflies still guarding our tent. They are relentless and they love Shadow. It was a steep climb up to Telford Tops an exposed ridgeline. Some fog down the valley began to rise and the wind picked up. Halfway through the ridgeline portion of trail it started snowing. The snow continued as we descended back into the forest. It was around that time when I began to wonder if I would enjoy seeing NZ in a climate controlled camper van for the next 5 months. The snow turned back into rain and the sun came out just as we arrived at the Lower Wairaki Hut. This one was a huge improvement over the last hut. 2 bunks with 3 wooden chairs. 2 windows, a broom, cast iron cook pots, flatware, and a stainless steel shelf for preparing meals. We dropped our bags and went to work. Shadow started a fire with some dry wood behind the hut. I hung the tent to dry and began unpacking our wet bags to start lunch. Before we knew it, a fire was going, lunch was being cooked on the grate above while we sipped hot Milo (hot Chocolate...sort of). Throughout the afternoon the sun and rain battled. At one point it began to hail. Pieces fell down through the chimney. Shadow and I just looked at each other and laughed while warming our feet on hot rocks by the fire.
The ridgeline
A late lunch
Country Mouse and Shadow
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