New Zealand 46 Anchorage Bay Hut

Lunch basically consisted of trail mix and crackers because that is what Matt was able to access without emptying all 40 kilos in his pack. According to the map guide, we only had 1.5 hours to walk to get to our first hut.

We arrived at Anchorage Bay Hut at about 2.30pm, very tired. The hut was beautifully situated on a very, very desolate beach.

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued) 

New Zealand 46 Poor Beast

 My pack essentially held my clothes and the daily supply of drinking water. My camera equipment was in a separate pack I carried on my front. Matt carried everything else, poor beast. So we set off around noon, eager to get on the track. At first it was a pretty easy walk but it didn't take long for the weight of the packs to make what should have been easy not quite so. We stopped for lunch at a beautiful beach spot, secluded except for a few kayakers and day walkers.

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued) 

New Zealand 46 The Saucepan

 Today was the first day of our first overnight hike and we were so excited! We had a very short walk to the first hut so we took our time packing the backpacks and getting everything ready. Matt had to pack and re-pack his bag several times because we had more stuff than he had room for. 

We decided the best thing to do was to tie one of the sleeping bags and the saucepan (not the lightweight, camping kind but the heavy, kitchen kind that came with the van) to the outside of his pack. This proved to be the center of endless jokes, laughter and lots of strange looks to come.

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued) 

New Zealand 46 Lots Of Food

 Relieved, we re-focused on the walk preparations and found a very nice girl at a place called Wilson's Experience who could actually help us get organized. We booked a water taxi with their company, rented the necessary gear and bought lots and lots of food at the local supermarket. I think we kind of spaced out because we weren't really thinking clearly that one of us would have to carry all that food. Apricots and walnuts sound cute and yummy but, believe me, they are heavy. And I didn't even have to carry them.....

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued)