Legs and Borders

Weather was still bad in the morning after the rainy night. I've decided to make a move around 8:30, it was foggy but the rain and wind stopped almost completely. Trail was overgrown and full of water all the way to the Browning Hut, the views were getting better and the weather cleared completely with sun showing up every now and then. From here it was the stream crossing gamble. Normally the eight crossings ahead would be an easy task but today after 40mm of rain, they all turned into a roaring monsterosities. Few hikers decided to wait for a day and let them drop down at the Hacket Hut just before this section. I've decided to push on after meeting a Nobo hiker who told me that the water was around waist level at most. The streams were daunting nonetheless, trail was jumping across the same stream several times with only short intersections between. I took it slowly and eventually managed to go through all of the crossings. I changed socks...

First day of a traverse through one of the main highlights of The Araroa, Richmond Ranges. After leaving Pelorus Bridge trail was going on the road and the bicycle path for the first few hours until it eventually turned into the bush and went its own way. Track was pretty well maintained and not muddy which was a welcome change. We went past first few huts and it looks like they will become a staple on the trail from now on. People on the GPS app I'm using are posting the times to get from one hut to the other which is quite handy. Huts vary in size and facilities they provide. Smallest ones so far were 6 bunks with a toilet and river water access. The Rocks Hut I'm staying in tonight is bigger, it can fit 14 people with more space on the floor if needed, it has big kitchen area and a flushing toilets which is unheard of, especially at this elevation! And we are quite high already at over 800 metres, with the highest point in this section bei...