Luxury beckons

February 24

Harper Campsite to Hamilton Hut

KM 2217

Distance: 20km 

Elevation: ascent 262m, descent 64m

Steps: 30,000

Time: 7:50am - 2:30pm

Packing our wet tent this morning our thoughts turned to the hut we were aiming for later that day, the Hamilton Hilton, as promised in our trail notes. Both of us had a really good night's sleep (plus the afternoon nap the day  before) which we attribute in part to our immune response to our booster shot. After a hearty breakfast of coffee and porridge (i.e., every breakfast so far) we set off into the cool morning air admiring the mist covered mountain tops.

Mt Ada shrouded in clouds and mist

Our journey today was entirely following the Harper Valley upstream, and within 90 minutes our shoes were saturated. It was to be another day of river crossings, but we're gaining confidence with these now that we've done so many. Today the water depth was up to our knees in places, but it's quite unlikely we would get swept away in these rivers because there's always a gravel bar or shallow patch not far away. The only real risk is falling in and getting ourselves and our gear wet. 

Harper River

Our companion, Linsey, has skied this area and pointed out peaks which had ski fields on the other side. A highlight of the trip was supposed to be The Pinnacles, an interesting geological feature formed by the erosion of poorly consolidated rock and clay material. However, as with our walk along Breast Hill (see our blog on Feb 5) our view was obscured by clouds.

Most of the last two weeks has been through the Canterbury high country which has a dry climate, and is characterised by grassy, tussocky vegetation, and dry or bare hillslopes. This afternoon we finally got back to some beech forest, which is not only soft underfoot from the fallen leaves, but much cooler. 

The sign below prohibits the use of 4WD vehicles from that point onwards. Up until then we had been following a 4WD track which wound in and out of the river. Based on our walk, though, it would be a very hardy 4WD vehicle that made it to this point! River crossings galore, boulders, and just a generally very rough track, requiring very good clearance and suspension.

From this point onwards the track was just a short 15 minute walk through beech forest all the way to the Hamilton Hilton shown below.

The feature piece of the Hut is the stone chimney. It's also the first hut we've stayed at which has three tiers of bunks! 

The biggest drawback, which won't surprise you if you've been keeping up with our adventures is the sandflies. They are legion! Each of the entrances has a main door and a screen door. This is partially effective, but I've squashed dozens of the blighters while writing this. I do admire these insects, but in the same way one admires an arch nemesis that just won't be defeated!

Later, this happened:

Twas nearing hikers midnight and all through the hut

The trampers were starting to eye up their bunks

The mattresses chosen, apportioned with care

So none would have to sleep up on the top tier

When out on the stairs arose such a clatter 

Vaughan sprung from the bench to see what was the matter 

And what to his wondering eyes should appear

But Nigel, walking with all of his gear!

We rose in the morning, bright and bushy tailed

And asked Nigel if we'd see him up the trail

He replied as he contemplated his tea

Shrugging and saying only "we'll see"

I swear I heard, out of earshot but just

Nigel say to himself "see you at the next hut!"