From Hamilton Hut to Methven
Hiking time: 08:00a.m.-12:30p.m.
Daily/Total distance: 48km (30 hitched) /547km (215.5 hitched/skipped)
Steps: 32796
Weather: 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 enough I was walking through muddy sections in the grooves of the 4W teack next to the river and then had to ford the river a few times.

The first crossing in the morning was icy cold and afterwards I felt like I was walking around with frozen feet. As soon as the feet were just feeling warm again, I had to ford again.

Halfway down the track the 4W tracked stayed mainly towards the right of the Harper River though there were still side streams to be crossed. With already wet feet I didn’t take particular care to find stepping stones over the streams.

Further down the 4W track I rolled my left ankle on the loose gravel of the now gravel road. It hurt quite a bit while it happened but then it was alright again.

At noon I reached the power station at the end of the river where it joins Lake Coleridge. Further along I also found the free camp ground. The next section is 30km long without any legal camp spots. There is a shuttle at the end which goes to Methven, leaving at 3pm. I knew I wouldn’t make it this day and planned to do the road walk the next morning, planning to set off very early.

As the next section includes mainly road walking I hoped to get a ride along that road. Therefore I already sat down at the edge of Harper Village where the road leaves to try to hitch a ride today. The couple from the night before was also there. They were planning on continuing on later and find a camp spot. In the meantime we tried to find a ride. I planned to try until 5:30pm, when I would go back for th e campground for the night.

Just aftee 2pm we got a truck with a loading bin at the back to stop. He only had one seat, so I got the ride. The others managed to get a ride with a similar truck just behind. This is the most unusual ride I’ve gotten so far. On the way to Methven we had to stop to pick up Lime in the bins before reaching Methven.

I got to Methven at around 5pm, meeting the couple from before as well as the two Canadians. We all met up at the Blue Pub for a drink before splitting of to get accommodation.

The couple and I went to the camping park while the Canadians went to Cowboy camp in a park. The couple had a cabin while I went to pitch my tent. At the tent stops I found the American couple that I hitched to Hanmer Springs with. We got caught up over the last few days and then went to the supermarket. While I don’t need anything for breakfast or dinner, as I still have about 5 servings left, I bought some more snacks. Afterwards k grabbed some fish and chips and went back to the campground.

Before, I had called up to take the school bus at 6am the next morning to get to the trail head. It is “just” 20$ instead if 35. The rest of the night was spent talking to the Americans. They put on a load of washing and offered to include my things. As it was already late at night I only put in my leggings, as they can go into the dryer. The rest of my clothes is made from merino and should not be tumble dried. By 10pm I went towards my tent, intent to get to sleep early. It didn’t quite work, and I went to sleep after 11pm, with my alarm set to 5am the next morning.