Day 87: Racing the Sun

January 5, 2020

Kilometers: 2059.4-2077.8 (~27km actually walked)

Hanmer Springs Motel to Hope Halfway Hut

We were in the opposite of a rush this morning. We had many hours to kill before our bus would pick us up and take us back to the trail. We woke up at 7, which is actually late for us- our body clocks are on a programmed schedule at this point. We laid around until nine and then each took a shower before check out at 10. We headed to the Moneiths Brewery at 10 and they actually had a really good big breakfast. I ate fast but sipped on the beer slowly as we needed to milk the clock. We played cards and each ordered a side of fries after awhile. Eventually the restaurant started to get crowded and we figured we should probably give up our table since it’d been two and a half hours. 

We walked next door and sat down at the next place. Charlie and I ordered muffins. I was able to stream the NFL playoffs as we  waited some more. At 1pm Charlie decided to head to the street and find a hitch back to the highway, which is where the bus stop was. I didn’t want to waste anymore of my time watching cars drive by so I decided to just walk the 9km to the bus stop. His hitching didn’t work (shocker) and soon all three of us were walking towards the highway. We gave ourselves plenty of time so we walked at a leisurely pace. I started my next audiobook “Prisoners of Geography”. Charlie and Peter recommended it. 

We got to the bus stop with plenty of time to spare. We walked into an adventure center at the junction and bought popsicles. They had a nice view overlooking the river.

The bus was supposed to arrive at 3:45 and drop us off at 4:30 so of course it arrived at 4:10 and dropped us off at 5. By 5 o’clock we are typically done hiking for the day. However, today it was just beginning. The first hut was 18km away but we were determined to make it before sundown. 

The hike started walking on a overgrown path right next to the highway. The grass was long and wet since it had just stopped raining. Immediately our shoes, socks and shorts were absolutely soaked. 

The trail left the highway and took us down to the Boyle river. After walking along it for a little we crossed it. The water was moving fast but it wasn’t too deep so we didn’t have much trouble.

We walked downstream next to the river for a few kilometers. We crossed small streams as the sun sank in the sky. I got out ahead of the other guys.

I then arrived at the Doubtful River. It was faster and deeper than the Boyle River. After assessing my options for a second I picked a spot and slowly started across. About a third of the way across I noticed it was getting too deep for how fast it was. It started to push against me hard and I knew it was too strong. I retreated back to the original side of the river. I walked upstream a ways to find a safer crossing and didn’t have any issue on the second attempt. I later learned that Peter crossed in a similar spot as my first attempt and it got up to his waist (he’s 6’5”). He admitted it was not a good decision and it scared him. 

After crossing the river I decided to pick my pace up a notch. I wanted to get to the hut as soon as possible and definitely before it was dark. I didn’t know how full the small 6 bunk hut would be and wanted to avoid potentially putting my tent up in the dark. 

I increased my pace significantly for the last 10kms. It was a race against the sun and I was determined to win it. Because of my time constraint I didn’t take a whole lot of pictures for the last bit. It was mostly on a forest track that was nice and wide. I have a feeling a lot of this section will be like that. 

I arrived at the hut at 8:30 and saw no signs of life outside the hut. I opened the door to find it completely empty. In one way I was lucky and relieved, I had a bunk for the night and wouldn’t have to tent. But in another I wasn’t sure if the Belgians would make it to the hut. I would have understood if they, with the potential of the hut being full, decided to call it a day before the hut and set up a tent. 

I made a quick freeze dried dinner of Moroccan Lamb with couscous and vegetables. They market it as one of the fancy freeze dried foods. It was pretty good, the couscous was definitely better than the couscous I usually make. 

I laid down wondering if Peter and Charlie would be joining me for the night. At 9:10 I heard them arrive outside. I was happy they made it but I wouldn’t have been totally alone if they didn’t as I did see a nice little mouse running around the hut when I was eating.

It was a productive day. It’s not very often you get 27kms of walking in when starting at 1:30. It’s good to finally be back on the trail and hiking again. We have a big day tomorrow but we may not start as early we usual with today’s late night.