Boyle Village to Hope Kiwi Lodge Hut – 27kms

Total – 387kms

The Boyle River was still too high to cross and Nick at the Outdoor Education Centre advised me not to try it. I entered at Windy Point which is the traditional entry point for people doing the Harper’s Pass and Lake Sumner hike and is the main access for hunters and fishermen. Starting at Windy Point meant that I missed a few kilometers of the official trail but I have easily made up the distance on my walks in Hanmer Springs over the last week!

Dad and Janeen dropped me off at the carpark and they continued on to the west coast and will be spending a few days travelling down the coast over there. They will meet me at Bealey in 5 days before I carry on through to Lake Coleridge.

I crossed the Boyle on the wire footbridge before heading up Hope Valley. Following the true left of the Hope River, I spent a few hours in the bush, coming out into the open at times until I reached Halfway Hut. I met a few hunters there. Further along the trail I came out into the open valley, still following the Hope until I crossed another bridge over Kiwi River. It was only 30 minutes from there to Hope Kiwi Lodge Hut where I am staying tonight. It is a really nice 20 bunk hut and I was the only person here until 5pm when a couple, Scott and Jane, turned up who are doing the Te Araroa and started at Cape Reinga in October. They have also been waiting out the weather for the past six days like I did. I am happy to know there are others doing the same track as me and going at the same pace so I will have people to cross the bigger rivers ahead in the next few days. The levels should have come down by then but it is always safer to cross in a group in case you lose your footing or get stuck on something. There is a method of linking together for stability and support. If anyone loses their footing then the rest of the chain can easily take your weight.

Today was a nice and easy and I was able to take my time. I even had a nap in the afternoon. Tomorrow will be a longer day to Hurunui No. 3 Hut. I have been reading several comments in the hut Intentions book that there have been Falcons nesting and attacking people up there over the last few weeks. That should be interesting. I will have my walking poles ready.