3RY Update Part:

5

Date:

27th February ‘19

Day:

36

Title:

Sleeping with the Royals.

KM Mark Start:

2345.5

Start Location:

Camp Stream Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2330

Finish Location:

Royal Hut

Actual KM today:

22.92

Weather:

Extreme winds on the ridge, was throwing me around like a rag doll.

General:

Followed the ridge line parallel to camp stream gully. This route is considered a no-go if conditions aren’t suitable.

The winds picked up as I was ascending the ridge to the point I was blown off balance most steps. The rain hit and it became bitterly cold…but all very invigorating.

The highest point of Te Araroa is Stag Saddle @ 1926m ASL. I took a wee detour before Stag Saddle and went to the closest peak @ around 1980-2000m ASL. I stuck around long enough to take a few shots and made a quick exit – I was frozen.

I found a primo little pond – nature’s version of an infinity pool (See photos).

After the obligatory Stag Saddle photos, it was a descent to Royal Hut. A cool wee hut that apparently earned its name after Prince Charles and Princess Anne visited in 1971. I was all geared up to be sleeping in the same bed as a Royal but I’ve since found out they were choppered in via an AirForce helicopter, had a look around, a cup of tea and choppered out again…so no such luck.

Finished the day with a swim in the river, a little banter and a few games with some other people at the hut.

The white/grey flower below is a Mat Daisy – Raoulia Australis.

Body/Health:

Good

Outlook:

Positive – Starting to think about the upcoming river crossings.

Tune of the Day:

Numb/Encore – Jay Z & LP

Day 36 Images: