From Mid Caples Hut to McKellar Hut
Hiking time: 09:10a.m.-03:00p.m.
Daily/Total distance: 22km /977km (247.5 hitched/skipped, 84 biked)
Steps: 30381
Weather: overcast with drizzle and some rain

After getting a good nights sleep I got up at 8am to have a leisurely morning eating breakfast and packing up. By 8:30am the hut warden came in to give the weather update for the day. Mostly overcast. I could see that outside, where quite a lot of the surroundings were covered in low clouds moving about.

By 9am the clouds had cleared a bit from the surroundings, though they moved further up and were blocking the sun every now and again. So I set of for the next hut by 9:10am. It was nice and fresh outside, perfect temperature for hiking, without feeling cold or overheating.

The path continued further through the valley, through high grass. Luckily I was wearing my leggings to not get another allergic reaction. The path through the grass was looking very inviting in the morning sun.

After about an hour the path went back into the forest, slightly moving upwards towards McKellar Saddle. On this stretch a kiwi couple crossed my path, walking the track in the opposite direction.

By now the clouds had moved further in front of the sun and it started drizzling. Though luckily it wasn’t continues drizzle and I didn’t get soaking wet. Coming further up the saddle, I had some good views of the previous valley, though there were still some low clouds. I am assuming this would look even more breathtaking with clear views and a bit of snow on the mountain tips:)

Coming further up the saddle the weather changed between drizzle and no drizzle. Towards the saddle the drizzle got uncomfortable though, as it was windy on the exposed top.

Close to the top there were boardwalks in order to protect nature from to many people walking around. This was a chance of walking ground from the previous rocky path.

At the saddle there were few views as I was surrounded by clouds. From here on the trail went down again on a metre wide rocky path, switch backing down the mountain side.

Going down the drizzle stopped and I was getting dry again. While going downhill I could see a lake towards my left down in the valley. Reaching the valley floor I had to cross a small waterway to then walk along the far side of the lake.

After crossing the water I came upon the where the path splits of towards the Routeburn track. Here the path was fenced off to prevent people from venturing further.

From here on out there was only a short distance left to go to reach McKellar Hut. Now the path was narrower than before, leading through lush green forest. At this point I had to cross through small streams and my shoes were once again wet-.-

30min before reaching the hut I came across 2 people who were partaking in the Ultimate hike tour. There were originally supposed to do the Routeburn, but as it closed due to storm damages, they were walking parts of the Greenstone track and were getting a helicopter over the Greenstone saddle towards the parts of the Routeburne track that were reopened.

By 3pm I reached McKellar Hut, which is quite a big hut with 2 seperate sleeping rooms fr 24 people. Outside of the hut the 4 guys from the previous day were already seated, having a smoke and enjoying the view. We talked a bit and I was informed that they moved into the dorm adjoining the main part of the hut and I could have the other room. So I moved my stuff in there and got settled.

After getting everything set up I moved with my food into the main part of the hut. The guys had started a fire in the fireplace and I moved my wet things to the drying rack for drying. Then I sat down with a good book to read while eating a bunch of my snacks:)

Outside it had started raining by now and I was glad to have arrived before that. Like the previous hut this hut also had flushing toilets, which was a nice luxury. Around 5pm the guys came into the main part as well and started preparing their dinner. We got talking and they told me that the 4 of them do this every year, go for a 4 day hike somewhere in New Zealand. One of them owns a restaurant and prepared meals which they then vacuum seal. It is heavy to carry, but for 4 days it isn’t to bad. Their dinner smelled delicious, though I was also quite satisfied with my ramen bomb. After dinner I continued sitting in the main room reading. The guys were sitting outside smoking and having a drink. I didn’t join them as it started getting quite cold outside.

The others turned in around 9pm when it started getting dark outside while I read a bit more before going to sleep at 10pm.