1 Feb, warm and dry – turned cloudy

There was a lot of discussion in the hut about a weather system bringing rain tomorrow afternoon. Everyone changed plans to beat it and exit before it hits. I was encouraged to aim to make it to Kiwi Hut for a safe river crossing the next day. That meant an extra 3 hrs walking today after Locke Stream Hut.

The highlight of the day was the variety. Lovely forest walking first before a steady climb 960mtrs to Harpers Pass. You could see way down the valley to the end of tomorrows walk at the end of the Valley.

So I set off south an hour after the NOBO’s set off at 6:00. I arrived at Locke Stream Hut at 4:20. Chatted to walkers staying in the hut the night and set off for Kiwi Hut. I walked about an hour and lost the markers so returned to Locke Stream for the night.

One fear I still have is getting lost. The slips on river banks take away large parts of the track so you have to guess when the track goes into a vacant space. I’m not doing very well on that score yet. Not only when there is natural erosion but where there are no markers at all. The stone cairns help.

A pleasant but really warm morning. Reached Cameron River and crossed on the 3 wire emergency bridge. A challenge but easy doable.

The track was overgrown climbing up the pass so confidence that a track was under the ferns was needed.

There was a lot of rifleman seen today and bellbirds. The robins and fantails always dropping by to say hello.

I had ample power in the borrowed power bank and so I tested my phone battery and listened to music. A real treat. Spotify was such good company.

There was a couple of small huts in between. Cameron hut.

Harpers Pass Bivvy.

Finally I fell on a slippery stone and grazed my shin. It took all my plasters to cover it and keep the mud and dirt out.

Didimo is grimy and in most streams.