Wet Feet

February 9th 

Unnamed campsite to East Ahuriri River (Quailburn) Hut

KM 2510.5

Distance: 13.5km trail + 10km diversion as Ahuriri River not fordable

Elevation: ascent: 240m

Steps: 33,600

Time: 7:30am - 3:30pm

We woke up this morning to the pitter-patter of raindrops on the tent. We had so been hoping to be able to pack up a dry tent. But alas, it was not to be.

Also, we were hoping to be able to ford the Ahuriri River. After last week's rains, it was quite high and so everyone was having to walk 5km downstream to a small bridge (for those doing the maths at home, this adds 10km to your trail). But people going south that we crossed paths with yesterday had told us that they were able to ford the river, and it was still going down. So, we figured, in the absence of any more rain, we should be fine!

Well.

So, the diversion really wasn't that bad, 5km downriver along a road, and then a little over 5km back upriver along farm tracks. All good walking surfaces, but it was an extra 10km.

We then got back onto the trail, but because of the diversion we didn't make it quite as far as we might have hoped. That did, however, put us perfectly in place to stop at the historic (derelict?) Quail Burn Hut. Corrugated iron cladding, framing made from beech tree trunks and branches, concrete paving floor, and beds constructed with more beech tree branches and chicken wire (chain-linked fencing, for the North American audience).

On the way here, we had to cross many streams, marshes, and hidden trickles, so our feet, which got wet early in the day, have basically stayed that way

When we arrived, we were the only ones here. And since it is no longer actively maintained by DOC, and also because to get to the hut you need to descend off the track to the valley floor and cross a river, we thought that we would be the only ones here tonight.

Again, we were wrong! Just as the rain started to set in for the evening (it had been sprinkling on us off and on all day), a couple showed up. They opted to just use the hut to make their dinner, before carrying on to camp on the banks of the Ahuriri River, hoping for an early crossing tomorrow. (We told them our experience and knowledge of the river levels, don't worry.) And just as they were packing up to go, a solo hiker showed up, also bound for the Ahuriri crossing tomorrow.

This led to an occurance which is quite common when staying in huts, especially with other through hikers. You will have a long conversation about the trail ahead (or behind, depending on your perspective); gear; weather; etc. You will then change all of your clothes, even when the others in the hut are of the opposite sex. And then, you will exchange names.

Also, today we passed 500km on the trail!! (It's marked as 3,012km long)