Day 97 | Camp at km 1082
18 January 2023 | 24°C | 23km
Though we get up early, it’s a late start today until we say goodbye to everyone, make some phone calls ( I learn that my cat back home has skin cancer and needs treatment) and have a last coffee and fresh snack for some time.
The Richmond Ranges are ahead and estimations to get through range from 5 to 10 days. We plan to hitch out to Richmond or Nelson inbetween to avoid a longer food carry.
Legs are fresh and after some road walking I find the first climb surprisingly easy. The terrain is dry and kind of reminds me of Northern California on the PCT.
We reach the first hut around 6pm. Not much of a surprise that it is already full and several tents already pitched outside. We head on over the narrow trail with red stones and rocky ground.
Will we be able to find a flat spot at all here? I am tired already and hope that there will be something suitable around the next corner, and the next corner and the next corner… and suddenly there it is: a small spot by a creek with a bathtub, rocks to sit on and even a wardrobe!
