3RY Update Part:

7

Date:

22nd March ‘19

Day:

59

Title:

Easy Days – West Sabine

KM Mark Start:

1980.5

Start Location:

Blue Lake Hut

KM Mark Finish:

1973

Finish Location:

West Sabine Hut

Actual KM today:

10

Weather:

Overcast then Sunny

General:

Really quiet day planned after the Waiau Pass yesterday and the tough Travers Saddle climb tomorrow. There was a low fog over Blue Lake and it was perfectly still this morn, magic to see. Made it to the West Sabine hut by 11am and spent the rest of the day sorting and drying equipment. Nelson Lakes is a really popular hiking spot so plenty of people around. Some amazing forest walking today.

Body/Health:

Good

Outlook:

Positive

Tune of the Day:

Easy – Commodores

Day 59 Images:

3RY Update Part:

7

Date:

21st March ‘19

Day:

58

Title:

Blue Lake – Clearest Water in the World

KM Mark Start:

1996.5

Start Location:

Waiau Hut

KM Mark Finish:

1980.5

Finish Location:

Blue Lake Hut

Actual KM today:

20

Weather:

Sunny and still

General:

Started the day with a walk up the Waiau River, over scree slopes and a few river crossings.

The trail takes a sharp turn north, up and over Waiau Pass. It has a reputation for being a tough day (especially going south to north). I found it hard on the lungs coming up and hard on the legs coming down and took a few spills. All worth it for the view of Lake Constance – Rotopōhueroa and the Waiau River Valley I’d just walked up. Then it’s another climb up and over a bluff overlooking Lake Constance – Rotopōhueroa, to finally get me down into Blue Lake – Rotomairewhenua. Famous for having the clearest water in the world. They believe it’s because the water from Lake Constance (geographically above) is filtered through the glacial Moraine and down into Blue Lake.

Body/Health:

Sore but happy it was such a prefect day weather wise.

Outlook:

Positive

Tune of the Day:

Where the River Flows – Collective Soul (MD!)

Day 58 Images:

3RY Update Part:

7

Date:

20th March ‘19

Day:

57

Title:

Day before “The Pass”

KM Mark Start:

2022

Start Location:

Anne Hut

KM Mark Finish:

1996.5

Finish Location:

Waiau Hut

Actual KM today:

25.5

Weather:

Sunny

General:

Really nice walking today. Majority of the trail was on a 4WD track. This morning was a heavy fog that resulted in getting wet but that burnt off soon enough and dried everything out.

My main thoughts for today were how I will cope with the Waiau Pass tomorrow. It is considered one of the more strenuous passes on the trail but the weather is playing ball at the moment, so hopefully it won’t be too bad at all.

Body/Health:

Good

Outlook:

Positive

Tune of the Day:

Ready Set Go – Killer Mike

Day 57 Images:

The above image was taken through my sunglass lenses.

3RY Update Part:

7

Date:

19th March ‘19

Day:

56

Title:

Wild Horse Country

KM Mark Start:

2051

Start Location:

Boyle Village Outdoor Education Centre.

KM Mark Finish:

2022

Finish Location:

Anne Hut via Boyle Flat Hut, Rokeby Hut, Anne Culler Historic Hut.

Actual KM today:

33

Weather:

Sunny with some clouds

General:

Left at dawn and walked down the St James Walkway which initially follows Boyle River. A small climb up and over Anne Saddle before continuing down Anne River. On the previous section I needed to ration my snacks, so naturally, I over catered this time. This was a great idea, except for the fact I have to carry it, and man, did I feel the extra weight. I started eating more just to lighten the pack.

This section is home to the St James Wild Horses. Two horse riders arrived at the hut with their own horses. They mentioned the St James herd has 20 mares and one stallion which are all mustered back to the homestead every year (which takes 2-3 days). One of the riders spotted the herd on the way to the horse holding paddock.

Body/Health:

Knackered

Outlook:

Good, glad I did the extra hut today.

Tune of the Day:

Concrete Schoolyard – Jurassic 5.

Day 56 Images:

3RY Update Part:

7

Date:

17th & 18th of March ‘19

Day:

54 & 55

Title:

Friends and Chill…

KM Mark Start:

2051

Start Location:

Boyle Village Outdoor Education Centre.

KM Mark Finish:

2051

Finish Location:

Boyle Village Outdoor Education Centre.

Actual KM of both days:

0

Weather:

Cloud with some sun

General:

Meeting some mates in Hanmer for a zero day. Great to catch up with friends. Enjoyed some quality hot food, a few chilled drinks and some rugby league to celebrate St Paddy’s Day!

The images below are from an encounter I had with Naultinus tuberculatus (West Coast – Green Gecko or Mossy Gecko), some time over the past few weeks. They are considered nationally vulnerable and I’ve been advised by DOC not to reveal in a public forum where I found it, as poachers a likely to target them.

This was definitely a major highlight for me. She was so placid and happy to sit on my arm. Not much is known about this species but it is believed they live to around 25yrs of age. She’s an incredible looking animal with impressively striking colours and a roughly textured skin. I feel really lucky to have had this experience.

Body/Health:

Rested

Outlook:

Positive – Hope the weather holds for the Waiau Pass.

Tune of the Day:

1. Gravel Pit – Wu Tang Clan

2. I’m shipping up to Boston – Dropkick Murphys

Day 54 & 55 Images:

3RY Update Part:

6

Date:

16th March ‘19

Day:

53

Title:

Shocked and Saddened

KM Mark Start:

2076

Start Location:

Hope Kiwi Lodge

KM Mark Finish:

2051

Finish Location:

Boyle Village Via Hope Halfway Hut

Actual KM today:

27

Weather:

Overcast some light drizzle

General:

Another start before sunrise and a few more deer spotted. The trail followed Kiwi River (north of Lake Sumner) down to Hope River and eventually onto Boyle River all the way to Boyle Village Itself. I met three hunters in the bush that told me about the ChCh Mosque attacks. It felt completely surreal hearing news of that weight when I was in such a peaceful setting. It feels strange even writing about my day’s menial activities when something so horrific has happened so close to home.

My thoughts are with all those people that have been touched by this tragedy.

Body/Health:

OK

Outlook:

Positive and hopeful

Tune of the Day:

Imagine – John Lennon

Day 53 Images:

3RY Update Part:

6

Date:

15th March ‘19

Day:

52

Title:

Finally a Deer! (x3)

KM Mark Start:

2093.6

Start Location:

Hurunui Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2076

Finish Location:

Hope Kiwi Lodge

Actual KM today:

19.5

Weather:

Heavy rain all day

General:

Left Hurunui Hut before dawn and finally managed to spot some deer in the bush. They got as much of a fright as I did so it wasn’t a lengthy encounter. For every hunter I’ve spoken to since starting this trip…nope, they were not 12 pointers sorry.

Stoked to see one of my favourite NZ birds, the Black Morph Fantail. It’s plumage is jet black all over (sometimes a brown tinge), a really cool looking creature. Black fantails are very rare in the North Island, and make up less than 5% of individuals across the South Island.

It was raining heavily all day today so didn’t spend too long taking photos along the way.

Nice walk though & despite the rain, I really enjoyed the section.

Body/Health:

Good – Toe looks like it’s on the mend today.

Outlook:

Hanging out for Hanmer!

Tune of the Day:

Badfish – Sublime

Day 52 Images:

This photo of the Black Morph Fantail is from Shelly Evans 2004.

3RY Update Part:

6

Date:

14th March ‘19

Day:

51

Title:

Natural Hot Pools

KM Mark Start:

2103

Start Location:

Hurunui No. 3 Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2093.6

Finish Location:

Hurunui Hut

Actual KM today:

10

Weather:

Overcast

General:

Very easy day. Only 10km with a stop at some natural hot pools on the way. Was relatively cruisey trail, all in beech forest and some grazed stretches, with a few small river crossings. The hot pools were a nice break for the body but I couldn’t sit around in them for any longer than 30mins.

Body/Health:

Spoke too soon re: toe. It’s not a happy camper today.

Outlook:

Feeling good. A few short days over the last week has helped.

Tune of the Day:

Daughter – Peal Jam

Day 51 Images:

3RY Update Part:

6

Date:

13th March ‘19

Day:

50

Title:

Wekasaurusrex

KM Mark Start:

2118

Start Location:

Locke Stream Hut.

KM Mark Finish:

2103

Finish Location:

Hurunui No. 3 Hut (Via Harper Pass Bivvy and Cameron Hut)

Actual KM today:

16

Weather:

Rain all Day

General:

Early start again to see if I could spot a kiwi. They are apparently here in good numbers. No such luck though. Had a Weka following me down the trail for while. The way they tilt their head to look at you, the jerky body movements and their beady red eyes all remind me of those small dinosaurs from the Jurassic Park movies. It rained solidly all day. Trail went up & over Harper’s Pass then followed the Hurunui River down to the hut. A really nice section of the trail. Would be keen to tent up on the pass and see the kiwis at some stage. A fantail landed on my walking poles while I was using them today.

There was a crack-up crew of fencers staying at the hut I was in. They’d just finished the job and we’re having a few drinks. A classic bunch of guys & more than happy to share a few beers and a laugh.

Body/Health:

Toe looks and feels a lot better already.

Outlook:

Positive – looking forward to some proper food.

Tune of the Day:

Tha Crossroads – ‘Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’

Day 50 Images:

3RY Update Part:

6

Date:

12th March ‘19

Day:

49

Title:

Poor Mans Milford

KM Mark Start:

2126

Start Location:

Kiwi Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2118

Finish Location:

Locke Stream Hut.

Actual KM today:

9

Weather:

Raining off and on, overcast

General:

A really short day as a result of the extra KM’s I did yesterday in an effort to beat the bad weather and potentially end up getting stuck on the wrong side of Taramakau River.

I heard it raining all night, so started to think I’d missed my opportunity but it turned out to be all good. Most of the trail avoided the larger river crossings.

The Taramakau Saddle (Harper Pass) was originally a route Ngai Tahu used to collect Pounamu from Tai Poutini (Westland) to then transport back to their main pa in Kaiapoi. This route was later used for stock and transport, to and from the Goldfields, until in 1866 Arthur’s Pass Road was opened and the Harper Pass route was abandoned. In the late 1930’s the government reopened Harper Pass in an attempt to Rival the Milford Track. The plan included five huts. Due to the isolated location, Locke Stream Hut (where I will be for the night) was built using local native timber, that was felled, transported to site (using horse and sledge) and then hand shaped in the winter of 1940 by George Bolton, a bushman and Harry Scott, a deer culler. The hut itself was built the following spring by Sam Burrows and a companion.

The Harper Pass never rivalled the Milford Track and the Locke Stream Hut remains as a reminder of the building techniques of the past. The hand-hewn timber can still be seen in all of the framing and door slabs.

Body/Health:

Daaaaamn Daniel! Little infection in my toe. Not bad, have cleaned and disinfected.

Outlook:

Loving it – really keen to see a

Kiwi.

Tune of the Day:

Sandstorm – Darude

Day 49 Images: