River Ride

March 17th - Day 67
The clouds settled around our hut last night and we woke to a fine mist. Well, we actually woke multiple time last due to a mouse rummaging through the hut.
We made the decision to continue on to the next hut. After some research and a discussion last night, we both felt that we should get away from the river versus being trapped till the water level decreased.
The hiking was mostly sidling the Waira river. 9 river crossing and miles of skirting up and around large smooth (slippery) blue/gray and purple rocks that turned the river into a chute. It reminded me of those giant water slides that 5 people can go down together in one float. Even in the misty weather, it was awesome to see. A chute would lead to a waterfall, which then lead to a long deep lazy river ride. Sometimes 15 feet deep and clear. A perfect place to swim. A few of them were large enough to swim laps.
Shadow was coming down from a high cliff and into the river when he came within 10 feet of a goat. It was black and brown with horns and starred at him, then ran into the woods.
By the time we reached the next hut Mid-Waira Hut the mist turned to rain. We were only a half hour later than planned which surprised me with all the slow slippery rock climbing we had to do.
The huts had log books like the shelters on the AT for communications about the trail ahead and for safety reasons. We have gotten in a bad habit of keeping track of others progress. Where they stayed, how far they went. It's so easy to get back into the "Keeping up with the Jones."
A late lunch was made and Shadow started a nice fire. Yes is was only 1pm, but it was raining, we were wet, and we are lashing out against "The Man!" (Thru-hiking).
As the evening wore on, the rain came in waves. Our wet clothes hung from the food ranks off the ceiling. We sipped hot tea with powdered milk. An English habit passed on to the Kiwis. We read and listened to the wind, tended the fire and tried not to eat all of our food. We still have 6 days left of hiking assuming the weather improves. Therefore dinner rations will be cut in case we are delayed another day.
This is my kind of camping. Hike to a hut start a fire and chill.

Rock Chute

Swimming Holes



Drying out things.
Country Mouse and Shadow