Roaming Tinkerbell

From Stone Hut to Camp Stream HutHiking time: 08:30a.m.-04:30p.m.Daily/Total distance: 20km /655.5km (215.5 hitched/skipped)Steps: 31291Weather: cloudy morning, rain from noon onwards with sleet joining in at the saddle as well as strong winds While the Canadians got up again at 6am this morning, I was a hit more lazy and had a lie in until 7am before I got up to get ready. I continued talking to the NOBOs before heading off myself at 8:30am. The track immediately crossed Bush…

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From Geraldine to Stone HutHiking time: 10:15a.m.-07:00p.m.Daily/Total distance: 18.5km /635.5km (215.5 hitched/skipped)Steps: 32446Weather: rain at the beginning, then sun with clouds forming towards the West containing small droplets of rain I got up at 7am this morning. I grabbed all my things, including the tent, and moved towards the kitchen area of the holiday park to pack. Hung up the slightly wet fly and groundsheet over some chairs to dry and packed up the rest of my things. I was…

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From Manuka Hut to GeraldineHiking time: 07:00a.m.-03:45p.m.Daily/Total distance: 33km /617km (215.5 hitched/skipped)Steps: 45360Weather: cloudy all day with a fee rays of the sun peeking through The morning started out early. With the alarm at 6am the two Canadians and me were up and getting ready. The American decided to lie in a bit longer. I got ready and set out at 7am. The weather was nice and clear and the track continued on the 4W track from the previous day….

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From Methven to Manuka HutHiking time: 07:10a.m.-08:00p.m.Daily/Total distance: 37km /584km (215.5 hitched/skipped)Steps: 54035Weather: sunny and clear all day, clouds moved in around 6pm This morning my alarm went off at 5am. I needed to be by the iSite by 5:50am to take the school bus to the trail head at 6am. I had a hard time getting up and maxed it until 5:15am. Then I really got up and moving. Brought all my gear into the lounge area to pack…

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From Hamilton Hut to MethvenHiking time: 08:00a.m.-12:30p.m.Daily/Total distance: 48km (30 hitched) /547km (215.5 hitched/skipped) Steps: 32796Weather: cloudy in the morning, sunshine and clouds from noon onwards This morning I was slow moving. I nevertheless got up at 6:30am as the others were moving about. I had a slow start though and didn’t head out until 8am. The first part was backtracking from last night to the swingbridge. Then it went on further down the riverbed following a 4W track. Soon…

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From Arthur’s Pass to Hamilton HutHiking time: 10:15a.m.-05:50p.m.Daily/Total distance: 24.5km (5.5 skipped) /499km (185.5 hitched/skipped)Steps: 34657Weather: cloudy with some drizzle and some rays of sunshine in between After the previous days bad weather I’m now ready to continue on with my journey. While the sanctuary in Arthur’s pass is a nice place, I me here to hike and not sit indoors. All of us staying had a lazy start in the morning. Nevertheless I set off at 9am. I went…

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Upon waking up this morning I realised that my knee was aching. As there is bad weather forecasted from tonight onwards I would either have to get over goat pass today or wait out the weather at goat pass hut. With the knee aching I knew I wouldn’t make the trip in one day, especially as the trail notes suggest 13-14h for it. As I was right next to the Morrison footbridge I decided to get out and get a…

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From Cameron Hut to Morrison FootbridgeHiking time: 07:20a.m.-08:05p.m.Daily/Total distance: 35km /446.5km (152 hitched/skipped)Steps: 51531Weather: cloudy in the morning sunny from noon onwards This morning I got up at 6am. Spent some time in my tent to pack everything up. Ate my breakfast inside the tent before bracing the outside and the sandflies. Then I packed up everything, brushed my teeth, went to the dunny and set off at 7:20am. The sun was up but still hidden behind clouds. Therefore it…

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From Kiwi Lodge Hut to Cameron HutHiking time: 08:00a.m.-06:00p.m.Daily/Total distance: 32km /411.5km (152 hitched/skipped)Steps: 46220Weather: cloudy in the morning sunny from noon onwards This morning I woke up at 7am. Last night was quite nice and warm to sleep outside in. It wasn’t too hot for there to be much condensation inside my tent. As there were still great numbers of sandflies between the tent and the fly I grabbed all my things and fled into the hut to pack….

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From Hanmer Springs to Kiwi Lodge HutHiking time: 12:15p.m.-05:30p.m.Daily/Total distance: 26.5km (12 skipped) /379.5km (152 hitched/skipped)Steps: 27145Weather: sunny and hot Yesterday I spent a rest day in Hanmer Springs. I did some laundry, picked up my food parcel, visited the thermal pools and had some fish and chips. It was good to relax at the pools although the rash on my legs didn’t make the experience quite as enjoyable. This morning I got up at 8:30am to slowly get packed….

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