Canterbury

The most thrilling part of the trail, the tramper passes by turquoise lakes, needs to negotiate dangerous river crossings, and cracks up to mystical Stag Pass.

TA Day 87, Boyle Flat Hut to Hope Halfway Shelter, 32 km
It's easy to Boyle Village and two men offer to stay together for the dangerous river crossings ahead.
TA Day 88, Hope Halfway Shelter to Hurunui No. 3 Hut, 36 km
The Harper Pass Track on flats and forest leads to a soak in a hot springs filled by waterfalls.
TA Day 89, Hurunui No. 3 Hut to Kiwi Hut, 23 km
Harper Pass takes me down an eroded landslip to several tricky crossings of the Taramakau.
TA Day 90, Kiwi Hut to Goat Pass Hut, 28 km
A long day of sidling and crossings is followed by a walk up rapids and rocks on the Deception River.
TA Day 91, Goat Pass Hut to State Highway 73, 10 km
The remaining trail of roots, mud and stream crossings is through heavy mist.
TA Day 92, zero day, Arthur’s Pass
I take a well-deserved zero day itching sandfly bites as the rain crashes down.
TA Day 93, State Highway 73 to Hamilton Hut, 26 km
We call an SOS for an injured hiker and I learn a friend from day 1 also wiped out here.
TA Day 94, Hamilton Hut to Harper River Camping Area, 20 km
I know the joy of fishes in the river through my own joy, as I go walking along the same
TA Day 95, Harper River Camping Area to A-Frame Hut, 32 km
Such a lovely night with brilliant stars and later a crescent moon on her side. People arrive late and release
TA Day 96, A-frame Hut to Manuka Hut, 28 km
The wild wind blew open the door of the hut, even after we placed a rock to hold it shut.
TA Day 97, Manuka Hut to Potts River Bridge Car Park, 33 km
It’s cozy on my bunk as the sky begins to lighten. I’m up first heading to the longdrop on a
TA Day 98, Potts River Bridge Car Park to Crooked Spur Hut, 17 km + 14 km
The wind dies down and the possums come out, climbing the tree above my head and chattering to each other.
TA Day 99, Crooked Spur Hut to Royal Hut, 16 km
The morning begins with the Kiwi couple talking, rustling in their plastic food bags and letting the door bang shut
TA Day 100, Royal Hut to after Washdyke Stream, 26 km
Contrary to Alan from Dunedin’s prediction, the day opens crystal clear, ready for our eyes to take in some of
TA Day 101, After Washdyke Stream on Richmond Track to Tekapo, 26 km
Ah, the stars last night! Twinkling diamonds on black velvet, the milky way a gentle twist. The morning opens with
TA Day 102, Tekapo to Twizel, (54 km)
I slept poorly last night with all the rustling about, phones going off and generally being stressed out knowing I
TA Day 103, Twizel to Freehold Creek, (29 km) + 6 km
At some point in life the world's beauty becomes enough. —Toni Morrison The stars were spectacular overnight and I slept
TA Day 104, Freehold Creek to Tin Hut, 30 km
Being alone is, we know, the best chance you have to be yourself, which is in turn the seed of
TA audio narrative: hut life
https://youtu.be/c2K9eQEuWSY
TA audio narrative: chasing clear skies
https://youtu.be/Fl8vy184uCs
TA audio narrative: water, water everywhere
https://youtu.be/KBV7IqhRvXA