Day 51 | Merrivale
4 December 2022 | 17°C
I look at my phone. Only 3am! No way, I can hold my pee till sunrise. Not sure though if I will be able to open the door of this old hut without waking everyone up. I climb down from the top bunk and everything goes smoothly. Phew!
Next time I wake up is when Michael starts packing his stuff at 5.45am. We all agreed in the evening that we wanted to get up early to get through the upcoming muddy, hilly section in the morning before the rain starts at midday.
Right after the hut there is a steep, only slightly muddy climb, perfect to get warm in the morning. After an hour or so we reach a windy but pretty ridge with great views back to the coast we walked along the last two days. Love that part despite the wind.
As soon as we get further down the mud slide begins. Two techniques prove to be successful: going right through and walking knee deep in the mud (faster) or finding a detour through the bushes (dryer but slower). It is doable but mentally exhausting and we are very happy once we “fall out” of the forest reaching a quarry.
I am looking forward to a rewarding lunch break but as soon as we sit down and get a coffee ready a light but annoying rain shower kicks in. Though it was was exactly want the forecast predicted, I am extremely disappointed, poor down my coffee and start moving again. So disappointed that I can’t enjoy the relatively easy walk through another forest that reminds me a lot of Lord of the Rings.
It’s all good again as soon as we reach Merrivale hut. A friendly farmer build a simple but cosy hut on his lawn with a porch and a big sink for hikers coming through. Perfect to wash all the mud off!
