Te Araroa - day 12, 13 & 14

As I got up and active this morning the were moments of blue skys peeping through the gray cloud which topped the hills around the hut. However as I left Top Wairoa Hut I became nervous for what lay ahead. The clouds were forming and no longer allowing any blue through. As I walked up the hill from the hut I considered returning to see what the weather would do, but instead stopped to put and extra layer beneath my rain coat and my water proof trousers on. I continued up into the clouds, which seemed to rise as I did. After about an hour the sun began showing signs of peeing through. Which gave me confidence to continue. Further up the cloud dominated the landscape providing little visibility, making it more difficult to make out the orange poles or man made cairns. I pressed on and found my way to Mt Ellis, stopping briefly for phone service and some messages.
On the way down the cloud cleared and I enjoyed the walk down the valley to the river beneath Hunter Hut.
Arrived early afternoon and enjoyed a lazy afternoon pottering about the hut, drying out my boots and clothes after a clean.
Rain has arrived and I feel cozy alone in the hut for the night.
Hopefully the rain will pass for tomorrow's walk. Porters Hut on Redhills Hut. Still undecided.
A big day tomorrow would see me to St Arnaud earlier on new years eve. Time to feed and sleep before evening.
A beautiful day in the redhills, first section through to Poters Hut was quicker than expected, seemed like no time at all until the bright Orange hut came into view, easy morning so no brainer to press onto to Redhills hut. An arrival, early afternoon, a lady was asleep in the hut, I enquired if she was OK, and turned out she had fainted jiust before reaching the hut. I preceeded to provide advice like water, electrolytes, etc. only to find out later she was in fact a Doctor, so didnt need health advice from me. Redhills hit down to Highway 63 (the shorter route), enjoyable downhill following 4WD track and through small forest before joining the road. A couple of Kms to Rainbow Road and a wee wait for Anna and Dave to arrive for my collection. A welcome Coffee and Treats for the short trip into St Arnaud, well in time for New Year celebrations.

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