From Careys Hut to Kiwi Burn Hut
Hiking time: 10:05a.m.-04:30p.m.
Daily/Total distance: 25km +1 /1041km +68km on side trails (247.5 hitched/skipped, 84 biked) 777.5 walked
Steps: 31976
Weather: low clouds then sunny from noon onwards

This morning I had a lazy start of the day. I had already decided not to go all the way to Te Anau, and would be taking a short trip off trail to Kiwi Burn Hut. When I finally had all my things assembled and was ready to set off at 10am, there were really low hanging clouds across the lake.

The track continues to follow a 4W track along the North Mavora Lake, and during the morning I did come across a few SUV’s coming my way. Throughout the morning the clouds slowly started to clear, and the sun came out. While initially following the 4W track in tussock country, it moved on to go along the lake through the woods, becoming more and more enchanting.

Towards the southern end of the lake I came upon the area, where the breaking of the fellowship was filmed. While I was unable to find the exact location, every time I looked through the trees towards the lake I thought I found it again and again. In the opposite direction within the woods is supposed to be the location where *Spoiler alert* Boromir dies. But I didn’t want to venture in there, especially as it is supposed to be very hard to find.

After taking a bunch of pictures I moved on towards the end of the lake, where a small campground is located. I could have made this section last evening, but then I would have had to pay for the campground instead of staying at the free hut. With lunch coming up I decided to take a short break at the campground. Eat some food, use the dunny, put on some sun protection with the changing weather.

While relaxing there I saw a bunch of school kids I assume, which were on an outdoor ed trip or something similar. They set out on the lake with a bunch of kajaks, so I made my picture round just in time.

After lunch I continued on. The actual trail follows along the west side of the south Mavora lake, but I have heard previously that this section features a lot of mud, so I opted to follow the dirt road down south. Parts were through forests sections, but the majority was out in the open, with the sun blazing down. Somewhere to the east of this road is supposed to be the location where Aragon kicked the helmet after thinking the hobbits died, where upon the actor broke his toe in the process. I couldn’t make out the location though. If I do this again, I will take GPS markers with me to find these locations.

The downside from following the road instead of the trail is the sun blazing down on me while hiking, but it beats continuously wet and muddy feet. Further along I met quite a few sheep feeding along the side of the road, though they always scuttled away when I cam near.

After quite a long time along the road, one of the outgoing cars stopped next to me and a tourist offered me a lift, which I thankfully took, even though it was only a few k’s left until the turn off towards the hut, but anything to get out of the direct sun.

With the current developing situation in the world, we were talking about what is happening back in Europe, and he was wondering if he would even be able to get back into the country the week after. After 10 min I was dropped off at the turn off to the hut. I had to walk through a small farm field, where they were growing something that smelled like vegetable soup. I think it was winter root or something like that, used for feeding farm animals. It made me quite hungry going through this.

Within a short distance I reached the swing bridge crossing the river and going into the woods back to the trail. Right before the bridge was a dunny and there were a few vehicles parked up, one of the a DOC SUV.

On the other side of the bridge I was in nice beech forest again. There were a few spaces where I could have beautifully set up my tent, but that would have been to close to the track. Though the location would have been nice, right by the river, with a dunny over the bridge and soft forest ground to sleep on. But it wasn’t to be, so I ventured on.

This section was a cute little forest trail. After about 500m I reached the turn off to go towards the hut. This section was less travelled on, and I kept swinging my poles out up and down in front of me, in order to not run into spider webs. After going through some very high grass and crossing a small stream a few times I finally reached Kiwi Burn Hut at 4:30pm, with the lowering sun shining upon the front of the hut, creating an ideal space to dry my socks and shoes.

For the moment I was alone at the hut. I fetched some water from the small trickle of a stream behind the hut to filter and set about creating my bunk bed for the night. I could already hear mice scurrying around outside and saw them looking at my drying things. Once everything of importance was finished, I set about making dinner and settled in to watch some videos while eating, relaxing in the nice and warm hut.

Just before it got dark, another fella joined me, a guy from the UK which I had met the first time while hitching out from Hanmer Springs. He spent the previous night one hut before the hut I stayed in. We talked a bit while he ate, discussing where others are along the section and if anyone might be joining us. He also mentioned that the days section wasn’t actually muddy at all, even though we were told it would be before.

We went to sleep around 9pm, with it getting dark earlier and earlier. With there being only two of us, we each had one of the rooms to ourself. At around 10pm I could see the light of a torch lighting up the opposite trees of the clearing. It must have been a very strong torch. We could see the light going back and forth as if someone was searching for something. They were also coming closer. I guess they were looking for markers, which there were few of on this detour. When they reached the hut we saw there were 2 people. They kept shining the torch into the hut, which was really annoying, then they continued on. I have no idea where they were going, but we could see the light disappearing away for quite some time. Then it was time to get some zzz’s in.