Our normal routine is to practically run into town. No breaks. Maybe a quick stop for lunch. Our goal is town, that slippery vortex.
Today however was different. The trail was busy with people hiking (tramping). We spoke with 3 thru hikers (2 from Czech Republic and 1 from Israel). Our lunch break at the Lakehead Hut was with two more guys from Israel. Shortly afterwards we met a nice couple from New Hampshire. They knew about the Appalachian Trail which gave us lots to talk about. We told them to try a meat pie, but when we described it, the lady said "That sounds disgusting." Maybe it is something only hikers crave. The real test will be when we get home and we feed our families. Our walk into town was pleasant and relaxed. The way it should be.
A few miles out an owl flew in front of Shadow and landed in a nearby branch. He watched us and we scrambled to get our cameras.
Once in St. Arnaud we checked into the backpacker (hostel) and started our normal routine of showers and laundry. Luckily we mailed a food box here which gave us extra time to check in with family and rest.
The backpacker was also a lodge with the only restaurant in town. It was a nice change from fried bar food. Local and organic ingredients made up the menu at reasonable prices.
The next section of trail is said to be the hardest and longest without a place to resupply. With the combination of those two things and a chance for rain we left town with 10 days of food. Shadow says that we have exceeded the weight capacity of our packs. On our slog out of town we met another thru-hiker and a group from Hamilton. The trail goes through that town on the North Island. They gave us their contact information and invited us to dinner when we pass through.
We had heard from other Southbound hikers that our goal through this section should be to stay at every other hut. For our AT friends, they talk about this section like the Whites. We made it to the second hut, but not without a minor incident. I tripped on a rock and fell on my knee. My monster pack didn't help my recovery efforts. A little blood, a strawberry, a soon to be bruise we continued on.
It's amazing how after 10 miles here there can be a totally different landscape. The next couple days will be in the Red Hills. The color is due to a mineral belt from the Earth's mantle that is exposed. The rocks are high in magnesium and iron are here which make the dirt orange. It reminds me of Arizona brushy vegetation without snakes or cactuses. When we pass sections of red dirt and orange rocks, I feel like I'm on the Mars Rover.
Nelson Lakes National Park
An Owl!
Nice waterfall
Mars or New Zealand?
Country Mouse and Shadow
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