Day 65 | Fern Burn Hut
17 December 2022 | 19°C | 17km
Three bigger climbs and steep downs today. 400m up each. Oh yes its the southern alps finally! As always it’s mostly straight up, switchbacks do not seem to be a thing down here. Quite a bit of hard work and over boarding happiness once reaching the saddle. Late lunch at Highcreek Hut after coming down from the second saddle, leaves one to go for the late afternoon. A bit exhausted and ver hungry, I drop my pack onto the porch to enjoy the sun.
Somebody seems to be here already as I hear noises from inside. What a surprise the four opens: it is Tim whom I had already met in the first week on the north island on a campground ninety mile beach. He is attempting an FKT unsupported (fastest known time) and has already walked/run all the way from Cape Reinga to here. The first southbounder we meet on our way north.
We have a lively conversation exchanging our experiences (injuries, pain, time pressure, lucky coincidences, difficult terrain) but he has to head out soon to stay in his schedule to reach Bluff by Christmas (he has already done 35km that day and would still walk to the hut we came from that day). Just another week and he will have completed the whole trail! It is tempting to stay and chill in the sun at this lovely hut after a break.
Though it’s already 5pm, we finally decide to do the last climb and head over to Fern Burn Hut which would give us the chance to reach Wanaka tomorrow. It’s a Saturday and once we get there after 2.5hrs quite a few people who just do an overnighter (walking up from the car park and going down next morning) are already there.
Quick wash and then dinner. I am so hungry I could eat a horse!
