Today – 31.8km from Pelorus Bridge to Rocks Hut via Captains Creek hut and Middy Creek Hut

Total- 1826.6km

Yesterday I was thankful for cool breezes and water. Today I am thankful for cooler temperatures, and water.

Woke up at the beautiful campsite not sure how far I would go today. Got cracking fairly early, leaving camp just after 7am. My aim was to get the 14km on the road out the way before the heat kicked in.

Was a cruisy morning through the farm road to the start of the pelorus track, body feeling good and pack not as bad as I thought it might have been.

Decided to keep going to Emerald pools and have a break there, even went for a quick swim to cool down.

The colour of the river is incredible, pretty amazing and the track followed it on and off all the way to the first hut, Captains creek hut.

Just before this hut, I met a lady from Nelson who was really interested in the Te Araroa so had a good yarn to her.

Lunch at Captains Creek hut and met Roger, a TA hiker from Hong Kong.

The trail then meandered through the forest onwards to Middy Creek hut where I met Cormak who had just started his TA adventure doing the South Island.

Had a snack and chilled then decided I was feeling good enough with heaps of time to head to Rocks hut, 3 hours away according to DOC, but i had been consistantly faster than those times today so knew if get there sooner.

The track climbed steadily from 200m to 800m and I stopped lots for water and a snack break and it was sweaty and hot!!

A

rriving at Rocks Hut was a treat, ran into Ralph, Iben and Laine, and there was a couple of others. Its a big 16bunk hut with a flushing toilet(!).

Had a nice relaxing evening playing cards and eating and catching up with the team.

An older kiwi TA hiker Les, who’s really nice, is here too. Hes walking the trail fundraising for St John’s Abukance and I last saw him before Waitomo. Unfortunately, Les also snores like a chainsaw so earplugs all round in the hut tonight!

The next few days should be interesting as theres a heap of us hikers around and a bunch of huts in front, but mostly 6 bunk huts.

The weather is looking good so let’s hope it stays that way.

An excellent day all round!!