(Clinking the photo will take y'all to the gallery....)
I started at the trailhead in Waiohine Gorge, and the 1st thing you do is cross over a really long, single occupant suspension bridge that's 200 feet above the river. And it bounces. A lot.
Then through muddy native forest for 3 hours, fording 2 streams, I finally got to the "flats" part of the walk. I thought to myself, "it's pretty windy. I should find the hut that's out here, because otherwise I'll be up all night with the noise." I tried in vain to find the hut (I just found it on google maps, and don't know how I could have missed it, except for the really tall grass?) which wasn't signed at all. I got kinda frustrated, but mostly because I was tired, and in searching for the hutt I wasted an hour or so by going farther that I needed to...
But I found a terrific place to camp. It was a spot that had been previously used, and it had all that one looks for in a spot: a nice soft, flat ground for the tent, easy access to water, a fire pit already made, and most importantly, WONDERFUL protection from the wind.
I was so happy to find that place. I pitched camp, had dinner, read, and made a companion/entertainment fire. I slept pretty well.
In the morning, I was sore in my shoulders and hips from my bag, and my body rejected the idea of wearing the pack again. I finally had to get going, as I had a time I had to contact Anne, otherwise, the police would've been called in to look for me...
It was the most strenuous hike back out. It was hotter, more humid, and seemingly endless on the way home. But I did it, and rewarded myself with an obscene amount of fresh strawberries from a fruit stand. Yes.
In the evening I hung out with Morgan and we drank some Scotch. Some really nice stuff-finished in Sauternes casks... We told stories of all sorts till he needed to go sleepy-time!
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