After a day of rest at Glendhu Bay, we packed up and caught a bus to Arrowtown via Queenstown. We are going to stay a couple of nights in the Holiday Park and then have decided to return home. Feeling a little better today.
Today we spent the day at the Aspiring Medical Centre and were well looked after. An x-ray showed that my ribs don’t seem to be broken, just very sore.
We’re planning to have another couple of nights at Glendhu Bay to have a rest and then catch a bus to Arrowtown on Monday.
It was a lovely day for the start of our walk alongside Lake Wanaka, but unfortunately, about six kilometres along, I turned my ankle and was unable to prevent myself from falling forward onto my right side.
I was initially worried about my shoulder, which has had an injury but as I continued on, my ribs became increasingly sore carrying the pack. So it looks as though I shall be returning to Wanaka for a checkup tomorrow.
It is rather ironic that I managed the tricky Breast Hill track uninjured and did this on an easy track!
Alan and sundial
Even though I hadn’t got my gear, Alan and I decided to continue our hike as far as Wanaka, following first the mighty Clutha River and then the shore of Lake Wanaka. It was very nice not to have to carry our heavy packs.
Meanwhile Paul cycled back to our lunch spot from yesterday to unsuccessfully search for some reading glasses he found he had lost.
We had a pleasant hike, meeting quite a few north bound hikers and arrived in Wanaka in time for lunch. By this time Paul had also joined us and we spent the afternoon on a shopping spree.
Paul bought new glasses and a new pack as the one he was carrying (and which he had borrowed), was uncomfortable. Alan bought a new watch and a mending kit for his puffer jacket. I bought some glue because the sole of one of my boots is coming adrift.
We returned to Albert Town by taxi and found the nephew’s family had returned from their tramping trip. My gear was found in their car!
Today Alan and I walked from Lake Hawea to Albert Town where Paul’s nephew and family live and where Paul was already staying. It was a pleasant walk along by the Hawea River, though it became very hot. Along the river there was a white water park and people were surfing, quite impressive!
Yesterday when Paul was picked up, Alan had the bright idea of leaving some of the stuff that we didn’t need at the campground in the family’s car. This would make our packs lighter for today’s walk.
Unfortunately when we arrived in Albert Town, we discovered that Paul had only brought Alan’s bag into the house and left mine with my sleeping bag, air mattress, spare clothes etc. in the car. Before we arrived, the family had left to go tramping with my bag still in their car. So we shall have to stay here until they return. Oh dear!
We very much enjoyed staying in Pakituhi Hut after reluctantly leaving behind the magnificent views from the summit of Breast Hill.A mother and 13 year old son were travelling northbound as far as Ship Cove and were great company. The hut was new and comfortable, but the water from the roof fed tank tasted smoky from the Australian bush fires.The following day we knew that the route down was precipitous and challenging and so we got up at 6.00 a.m. to make an early start. Unfortunately Paul lost his sunhat, so the early start didn’t quite happen.However the day turned out to be not as hot and sunny as anticipated and fortunately the hat turned up later in his pack.We descended slowly and cautiously, following a very narrow ridge which had more than a few tricky bits.Thankfully the last section zigzagged and was less steep and scary and we were finally on the shores of Lake Hawea.We walked around to the John Creek Reserve and had a refreshing swim in the cool lake waters. Paul’s nephew’s wife arrived to take him back to their place in Albert Town and we were dropped off at the Lake Hawea campground, where we had a cabin reserved.
We had decided to have a shorter day today after two long and strenuous days. This didn’t mean that today was not going to be strenuous, just shorter.
Leaving our campsite at 8.20 a.m., we continued along the river for a couple of kilometers making very slow progress. There were large rocks to climb over and steep drops which were quite scary.
We then climbed out of the river and encountered more scariness as we crossed a large slip with a minuscule foot pad and a massive drop to the river below. I was very glad of Alan’s help to get my pack across.
Eventually with relief we reached the turnoff to Stody’s Hut. From here it was a steep 500 metre climb straight up to the bushline, followed by another sidle to reach the hut. It was 1.30 p.m.
Stody’s Hut is another historic musterers’ hut like Tin Hut. It is interesting to imagine life here in days gone by.
We are meeting a variety of hikers from all around the world once again, with the majority from European countries. For example, yesterday we met a group of six Finns. We continue to be impressed by how far many of them are travelling each day.
Stody’s Hut
Another dark hut meant another sleep in until 7.30 a.m. However today was a shorter day across the mountain tops to Breast Hill. It was a fairly gentle walk along former farm tracks, until at the end, a steady climb to reach the summit of Breast Hill, 1,578 meters high.We were rewarded with spectacular views down to Lake Hawea and across to the snowy peaks of the Southern Alps.We were also rewarded with phone reception and had a quick catch up with family and friends.We had a leisurely lunch and chatted to a few day hikers who told us about the precipitous descent to Lake Hawea, our route for tomorrow.
Liz and Alan's Te Araroa 