It's all downhill from here

February 16

Camp Stream Hut to Royal Hut

KM 2359

Distance: 15km 

Elevation: 710m ascent, 580m descent

Steps: 25,000

Time: 8:15am - 3:00pm

Today we reached a literal high point! Stag Saddle at 1925m is the highest point on Te Araroa. Although, we took the scenic route up a ridgeline which took us to 1944m. Naturally there were spectacular views of the Southern Alps landscape as you can see below. 

Although we reached the zenith of the trail, the climb up was only a moderate slope so not too taxing, although I think we're still feeling the effects of two lazy days in Tekapo.

Vaughan got unreasonably excited about a small patch of snow remaining from the snowfall four days ago which delayed us.

The descent was a different story. Steep and slippery in a few places, we also had to traverse the headwaters of Bush Stream 10 times before exiting into the valley in which Royal Hut is located. There was really no trail, it was a choose-your-own-adventure to follow the stream down from its headwaters. 

The Royal hut is so named because Princess Anne and Prince Charles (reputedly) visited as children

Unusually for us so far, we have the company of 8 other TA walkers, all going northbound. It's reassurring to walk with others because we all benefit from collective knowledge. For example, tomorrow there is a safer trail and a riskier trail we could all take to exit this section. After the rainfall of the last fortnight the Bush Stream is very high but the official TA route follows this and includes multiple crossings. The alternative, and safer, trail follows Forest Creek. Based on our discussions we have all decided to take the safer route out, even if it does mean some more choose-your-own-adventure.

Knowing that the hut would be full (8 bunks), we set up our tent on arrival. By dinnertime, the wind had picked up, clouds had gathered, and the temperature had dropped significantly. So we packed the tent back up and just put our sleeping mattresses and bags on the hut floor for the night.