Heavy rain – Maybe I should have got out on Thursday – Didn’t really matter it wasn’t cold and there were only a one big stream to cross. The Israeli guy before me did a huge leap from one side to a boulder in the middle. He just made it. He then grabbed a big rock to make an extra stepping stone. It dropped into the stream with a big splash, but was washed away by the current. I just forded the stream getting soaking wet boots, but I wasn’t going to risk slipping and falling in. Back in Queenstown I had dinner at The Cow: salad, pizza and beer.
Cloudy, little bit of rain. Walked over bridge to other side of the Dart River. There is no tracks there. Bush crashed a bit, but didn’t get far. Came back and walked alongside the river and back along the track. Ate the last of the chocolate, and some noodles, and jerky. Hut days are when you eat the most! Second night in Daley’s Flat Hut was very busy (and social) with a big crowd down from Dart Hut. Three people had to sleep on the floor. Duck Noodles for dinner.
I had a spare day and was thinking of spending taking it on this day to explore the Whitbourn Glacier, but with heavy rain forecast for Thursday I decided to do the long day while the weather was still “good”. It drizzled, but it was still warm. Not worth wearing a raincoat, it was better just to let the gentle rain cool me down as I walked. Long plod through Cattle Flat, and on down to Daley’s Flat Hut. Met Olivia who is doing a traverse of the South Island from North to South. For dinner: Nasi Goring, quite nice, but not as good as the Green Curry.
Morning was clear. Walked to Dart Glacier and up to Cascade Saddle. Pretty tough climb (for me) up to the campsite. Had a break and a OSM bar on the way up, then cheese, crackers and chocolate up the top. Awesome views! 1800m drop straight down. I was unable to make myself stand on the edge. Clouded over and started to rain on the way back. Shrimp Noodles for dinner… mmm spicy.
Drizzle, rain, and wind. Wasn’t too bad though. Henry the hunter (from Scotland) spotted a chamois on Mt Ernslaw and set up his rifle sight so I could see it. It was just a fuzzy orange dot moving around. Then he was off up the mountain after it. Heard a couple of shots later in the day, wonder if he got it? Over Rees Saddle. Lunch on the move: OSM bar, nuts, beef jerky. Beautiful down Snowy Creek with waterfalls and still some views. At Dart Hut Warwick and Claire taught me how to play Munchkin. Chicken Green Curry for Dinner, very nice.
