“Some storms come to clear your path and guide you to brighter days.”
Paulo Coelho
Day 87 to 90
- Day 87 – Bush Stream to Stone Hut ; 18 km
- Day 88 – Stone Hut to Stone Hut ; 0 km (rained and fogged in/bad weather day)
- Day 89 – Stone Hut to Richmond Track/Skifield ; 26 km
- Day 90 – Richmond Track/Skifield to Lake Tekapo ; 29 km
Total hiked: 2408 km
The next section of the trail is definitely considered a highlight amongst most TA’ers and for N.D and I that is no exception!
The Two Thumb track is a high country trail that traverses through the Te Kฤhui Kaupeka Conservation Park.
Starting from the Bush Stream end we followed the similarly named river through the Brabazon and Sinclair Ranges valley to the first of many questionably weather tight, historic huts.
During that scorcher of a day we passed Crooked Spur Hut, trotted over the saddle and down to Stone Hut for the night.
Happily oblivious to the changing weather that was to befall us the next day.
On waking the following morning gone was the clear sky and warm weather instead replaced by dense fog, chilly temperatures and a dripping on my forehead. Initially thinking N.D was jokingly spitting on me I rolled over and cuddled further in my sleeping quilt only to have him exclaim the roofs leaking… would have been easier to manage if it was his spit. ๐ฆ
With squashed hopes of great weather for the big saddle ahead we opted to wait out the fog and rain in the hut. Instead the day was spent bundled up in our thermals and fleece, nibbling treats, sipping copious hot drinks and reading; it was a great! Plus we had two lovely hunters as company who cooked us tahr that they had caught the day before.
Very fortunately the following morning the skies cleared and we boosted out of the hut early for what would be an amazing day!
Passing Royal Hut we stopped for a quick picture to commemorate my love of the British Royal Family, as the hut is appropriately named after the visit of Prince Charles and Princess Anne during the Queens Commonwealth tour. Next stop was the saddle of all saddles.
Te Araroa encompasses a 3000+ kilometre trail that stretches from the top of the country to the bottom, there are many summits, passes and saddles to cross but none as tall as Stag Saddle. At 1925 metres above sea level it would be the highest point on trail that N.D and I would trot and I couldn’t have been more excited! As we made our way up the grassy turned scree slope towards the saddle my heart was palpable, my chatter became fast-paced (well more so than usual) and I began barrelling ahead to reach it first. ๐
The views from the top did not disappoint! 360 degrees of valley below, ridge lines either side and the stunningly, bright blue Lake Tekapo ahead; it was magnificent. We had done it, we had made it to the highest point on trail and now just had to walk down… and then all the way to Bluff. ๐
But not before missing the very ‘not obvious’ track along the ridge line and instead trotting down the scree sideways for thirty minutes before hoofing it back up the slopes, finally making it onto the actual track. The lunch spot views of Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo made the scree scramble all worth while though.
By nightfall we had made it off the ridge line, past Camp Stream Hut, up another big hill and onto the Richmond track to find a tent spot below Tekapo Skifield.
What a day! I was still chuffed the next morning when we began our long road walk to Tekapo and past the bluest water I have ever seen… but I’ll tell you more about that in the next post. ๐
In the meantime try trotting over a high thing you might just get an awe inspiring view!
GC Chronicles 
Quite right the views from Stag Saddle are really beautiful and the videos are very entertaining
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