3RY Update Part:

8

Date:

3rd April ‘19

Day:

71

Title:

Swimming Holes

KM Mark Start:

1851

Start Location:

Slaty Hut

KM Mark Finish:

1837

Finish Location:

Browning Hut via Starveall Hut and Hacket Hut

Actual KM today:

15

Weather:

Sunny and Cool

General:

Nice day, downhill most of the way into the river then followed that down the valley. Great views again over Nelson and Richmond etc. Pushed through past two huts to Browning Hut and then for a swim in the river. Loads of really nice swimming holes along the walk. Noticed the change in vegetation today, started to look more like the usual warmer climate plants you see along the North Island Coast.

Body/Health:

Good

Outlook:

Can’t wait for the usual town comforts.

Tune of the Day:

71. White Lines – Six60

Day 71 Images:

3RY Update Part:

8

Date:

2nd April ‘19

Day:

70

Title:

360 views

KM Mark Start:

1864.5

Start Location:

Mt. Rintoul Hut

KM Marsk Finish:

1851

Finish Location:

Slaty Hut via Old Man Hut

Actual KM today:

15

Weather:

Clear, sunny then cloud and hail & rain. Ice on the ridges/peaks.

General:

Perfect morning for the Mt Rintoul ascent and the views that came with it. I was lucky enough to get 360 views as far as the eye could see. Really glad I waited out the bad weather, there were some sections of the trail today that would’ve been dangerous in wet weather, they were difficult enough in the dry.

Body/Health:

Good as

Outlook:

All good – Hanging out for some town food!

Tune of the Day:

70. These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding

Day 70 Images:

3RY Update Part:

8

Date:

1st April ‘19

Day:

69

Title:

Cabin Fever

KM Mark Start:

1864.5

Start Location:

Mt. Rintoul Hut

KM Mark Finish:

1864.5

Finish Location:

Mt. Rintoul Hut

Actual KM today:

0

Weather:

Rain + Wind

General:

Couldn’t go anywhere today. Extraordinarily strong winds and heavy rain last night and they continued this morn. I was sure a window was going to be blown in or a panel of the roof ripped off. The entire hut was shaking with the force of it. Had my bag packed, walking gear on and PLB at the ready just incase.

Spent the day drying out gear by the fire and watching the goats and wekas out the hut window.

Body/Health:

Tip top

Outlook:

All round positive but dreading this climb in wet conditions tomorrow.

Tune of the Day:

69. We Gon Ride – Dei Hamo

Day 69 Images:

3RY Update Part:

8

Date:

31st March ‘19

Day:

68

Title:

Goats for Africa

KM Mark Start:

1880

Start Location:

Mid Wairoa Hut

KM Mark Finish:

1864.5

Finish Location:

Mt. Rintoul Hut

Actual KM today:

18

Weather:

Sunny, then cloudy, then rain

General:

Awesome day, tough day. Within 10mins of leaving the hut this morn it was straight up a steep ridge. The trail continued with the abrupt ups and downs until I reached Tarn Hut. A primo wee hut with some wild goats just chilling around outside and a great tarn for swimming.

Enjoyed lunch with the goats and then it was straight back into the climb, to a peak named Purple Top. Some insane views looking down over Nelson bays and back over the Richmond Ranges.

Walked into a herd of around 30 goats doing their thing at the very peak of Purple Top.

Made it to the hut just before the heavy rain hit. Looks like I will need to hunker down here in the hut for a day or so, as Mt Rintoul (my plan of attack for tomorrow) has some passes I don’t want to be doing in the rain or high winds which are forecast.

Body/Health:

Pretty good all things considered

Outlook:

Yeah positive, would like to have gone through tomorrow but the weather can’t be helped so happy to stay put.

Tune of the Day:

68. Zebra – John Butler Trio

Day 68 Images:

3RY Update Part:

8

Date:

30th March ‘19

Day:

67

Title:

Coast!

KM Mark Start:

1897

Start Location:

Hunters Hut

KM Mark Finish:

1880

Finish Location:

Mid Wairoa Hut via Top Wairoa Hut

Actual KM today:

20

Weather:

Sunny with a few clouds

General:

More of the Ophiolite rocks and their amazing colours. Some look a lot like pounamu/greenstone, buuuut they’re not.

A hard slog up mount Mt Ellis was worth the effort with a glimpse of the coast! I’ve been hanging out to see that since leaving Colac Bay on Day 4. Then it was a descent to Top Wairoa Hut for lunch and to continue on down the Wairoa River to Mid Wairoa Hut.

This section so far has lived up to its reputation of being physically punishing. It’s hard to put into words the reasons why it’s so challenging. It’s a mix of long grinds of steep up and downs with river crossings (Wairoa x 8 today), loose boulder scree slopes, slippery tree roots, mud, tussock and a few thousand angry wasps thrown in to wind me up.

Body/Health:

Knackered – but good.

Outlook:

Heard a weather report from a hiker I passed today. Doesn’t sound promising but I’ll get to the hut before attempting Mt Rintoul and assess again from there.

Tune of the Day:

67. Delete – DMA’s

& This Warriors Life Podcast – Ep 2.

Day 67 Images:

3RY Update Part:

8

Date:

29th March ‘19

Day:

66

Title:

Walking on Mars

KM Mark Start:

1915

Start Location:

Red Hills Hut

KM Mark Finish:

1897

Finish Location:

Hunters Hut via Porters Creek Hut

Actual KM today:

22

Weather:

Sunny a few clouds

General:

Interesting terrain today. People say this section is like walking on what you’d imagine the surface of Planet Mars would look like. After seeing it first hand today, I’d agree with them. The geology in the area is known as the ‘Nelson Mineral Belt’ and is visible due to mantle rocks being exposed at the earths surface (they are normally found below the earths crust). These rocks were formed around 290-256 million years ago (Permian age). They are very dense and are often referred to as ‘Ultramafics’ due to their mineral make-up. The weathering of these minerals is what turns the rocks red. Some species of plants are only found growing on these types rocks and no where else.

The hut I stay in tonight (Hunters Hut) was built in memory of two DOC workers that lost their lives on 23rd Jan 1995 – Russel Griebel and Bob Waldie. A flash flood of water and gravel swept the hut they were staying in (Bush Edge) away.

Bob Waldie’s body was found two days later but sadly Russel Griebel’s body and that of his beloved dog Freckles were never located.

Body/Health:

Stomach still iffy but a lot better

Outlook:

Daunted by the days ahead but I’m sure they’ll be good as.

Tune of the Day:

66. Depreston – Courtney Barnett

& This Warriors Life Podcast – Ep 1.

Day 66 Images:

3RY Update Part:

8

Date:

28th March ‘19

Day:

65

Title:

OMW Richmond Ranges

KM Mark Start:

1935

Start Location:

St Arnaud – Alpine Lodge.

KM Mark Finish:

1915

Finish Location:

Red Hills Hut

Actual KM today:

20

Weather:

Cool but sunny

General:

Hard night, came down with something and spent the night hugging the porcelain throne. No, no beers involved.

Made a start on the much talked about Richmond Ranges. Fingers crossed they are not as bad as people make them out to be!

Relatively easy walking today. The track included some road walking past the turn off to Rainbow Ski Area, then followed a 4WD trail to the hut. Some nice views back down over Wairau River.

Pretty low on energy after last nights antics. Hopefully it’ll pass ASAP, don’t want too many more challenges with the section I’m about to do.

Body/Health:

Stomach Bug? Food? Dunno.

Outlook:

All good, it’ll pass.

Tune of the Day:

The Freshman – The Verve Pipe

Day 65 Images:

3RY Update Part:

8

Date:

25th, 26th & 27th March ‘19

Day:

62, 63 & 64

Title:

Lazy Days

KM Mark Start:

1935

Start Location:

St Arnaud – Alpine Lodge.

KM Mark Finish:

1935

Finish Location:

St Arnaud – Alpine Lodge.

Actual KM today:

0

Weather:

Cloud with some spots of rain.

Pouring down on day 64…flooding on west coast, evacuations and washed out bridges.

General:

Day one spent organising what I’ll need for resupply and recovering. Day two spent drinking coffees, sorting resupply for next section then a few beers. Day three updating website, FB and Insta. Made the most of the spa pool and met a few characters I won’t forget and others I’ll be staying in contact with.

Body/Health:

Tired but relaxed after the break

Outlook:

Positive – can’t wait to see the views from the ranges and to eventually know I’ve competed them.

Tune of the Day:

62. Santeria – Sublime

63. Angel of small death & the codeine scene – Hozier

64. Have you ever seen the rain – CCR

Day 62, 63 & 64 Images:

No photos worth posting from my last few zero days, so below is a collection of some favourite Instagram layouts over the last while.

3RY Update Part:

7

Date:

24th March ‘19

Day:

61

Title:

Pizza, Coffee and Beer…s

KM Mark Start:

1945

Start Location:

Lake Head Hut

KM Mark Finish:

1935

Finish Location:

St Arnaud

Actual KM today:

11

Weather:

Sunny

General:

Slept in…Walked 10km…pizza, coffee, beers.

Watched the Warriors dismal performance against the Tigers…next time fellas, early days yet!

Body/Health:

Legs still knackered from yesterday’s effort.

Outlook:

Positive, I’ll enjoy the break

Tune of the Day:

Mr. Jones – Counting Crows

Day 61 Images:

3RY Update Part:

7

Date:

23rd March ‘19

Day:

60

Title:

Just-One-More-Hut

KM Mark Start:

1973

Start Location:

West Sabine Hut

KM Mark Finish:

1945

Finish Location:

Lake Head Hut

Actual KM today:

32

Weather:

Sunny

General:

Massive day for me. The plan was originally to knock-off the Travers Saddle and spend the night at Upper Travers Hut. I did the saddle in really good time so decided to push on to the next hut – John Tait Hut. When I arrived I thought, I’ve come this far, I may as well carry on to the next hut – Lake Head Hut.

Wasn’t a massive day distance wise but with the Travers Pass climb in the morning I was really pushing my energy & fitness limits by the end of the day. The last 5km felt like 20. The views from the saddle first thing this morning were worth the early morning start.

Easy day to St Arnaud around the shores of Lake Rotoiti tomorrow ~10km.

Body/Health:

Absolutely Buggered

Outlook:

Positive. Looking forward to the zero days before the infamous Richmond Ranges.

Tune of the Day:

Nothing Else Matters – Metallica

Day 60 Images: