10 feb 2006

it wasn't raining just when jimmy picked us up at the house today, so i optimistically packed my rain gear inside. easily accessible near the top, but inside nonetheless... the break in the weather held until about 15 seconds after we got out of the truck at the trailhead. and those 15 seconds were the longest break i had from the rain for the rest of the day...

the walk in to oturere was a bit more adventurous than i had anticipated - creeks that i had hardly noticed as i stepped across them a couple of weeks ago were now formidable crossings. i got halfway across one and had to retreat and find a better place to ford - a little too reminiscent of the sierras on the pct... i was also lugging the heaviest pack i can remember carrying... seven days worth of food (GOOD food, not backpacking food) plus over 5 kg of hut provisions that just happened to need restocking on my shift plus... i don't know, but it was freaking heavy.

anyway, i rolled in a little after 5p, so it was only 3 1/2 hours. and now i have a roof and walls and best of all... a heater. i was too tough to actually fire up the heater last week when it was cold at ketetahi but there was no hesitation today... i'm feeling very fond of it tonight.

only 3 in the hut tonight, but 2 are from portland! visited for awhile tonight, but they just arrived in nz 2 days ago so are still adjusting and a bit sick... ohwell.