From Lakehead Hut to John Tait Hut
Hiking time: 09:00a.m.-02:30p.m.
Daily/Total distance: 12km /265.5km (140 hitched/skipped)
Steps: 21335
Weather: cloudy with some drizzle I’m the morning, sunny and clear in the afternoon

This morning started out cold and slow. Even though there were 20+ people sleeping inside the hut, the temperatures were quite cold. The first group had breakfast at 7am so I decided to get up as well. It is very cold outside. Probably below 10 degrees Celsius. I was moving quite slowly as I knew I would have to put on my wet clothes from the day before. Due to the cold temperatures outside though I was debating whether to wear my wet top or my long sleeve and rain jacket. In the end I opted for the rain jacket and got going at 9am. This way my upper body is at least dry while the lower part is wearing soaking wet shorts, socks and shoes.

The track now continued away from the lake and into the valley. It went over some flats which were nice to walk on as well as through more forest.

I soon started getting quite warm, and after crossing yet another swing bridges I decided to change into my wet top to let it dry on me while I am walking.

Although not following next to the lake anymore, the track was mostly quite flat while walking though there were some sections that went steep up or down. Soon after changing back into my wet things I had to walk through a stream again resulting in me having soaking wet feet again.

At 2:30pm I arrived at the John Tait hut. I could have continued on for another 3h to the next hut, but it has a 450m ascent and I want to ease myself into this section to prevent further complications with my knee or other body parts. So I stayed at the hut.

The front room was very nice and warm from the sun. So I took off my wet things to have them dry in here. My feet were So wrinkled after walking in wet shoes for 5.5h.

So I put on my dry things and things all the wet thins up to dry. Then I went inside to have lunch and sort through my food for the next fee days. I did this while planning out the next stages so I am sure to have enough snacks with me, especially on the longer days going over the traverse and pass.

As I was relaxing, two guys from Wollongong joined me who are doing the traverse circuit. One of them went and got a fire going so that we can have it warm and dry everything. We were later also joined by a couple from Nelson, two brothers from Dunedin and a couple from Australia. It was a merry bunch and we enjoyed the evening talking. Of us all I am the only one doing the TA. The others are either doing the circuit or an overnight trip. I finally went to bed at 10:15pm.