Thursday, 26.12.19, Day 39

Waiponga Reserve in Opoutere

After breakfast, we pack our hiking backpacks. Today, we plan to hike to the Pinnacle Hut. This is a hut just before the summit "The Pinnacles", where we want to go for sunrise. On the way there, we realize that we would all prefer to sleep on the summit rather than in the hut's communal room. Without much discussion, we decide to spend the night outdoors at an altitude of 759 meters. The path takes us three hours over very rugged terrain, across suspension bridges, large rocks, and past waterfalls, until we finally reach the hut. There, we freshen up a bit and strengthen ourselves with a portion of penne with pesto. Then we head straight to the summit. It is not only very steep but also requires climbing. Once happily arrived at the top, we know that this journey was more than worth it. We find a good spot to watch the sunset, which looks very different from up here. As we spread out our sleeping bags, we are once again aware that we have definitely made the right decision! Snuggled up in our sleeping bags with prepared bread, we enjoy the view of the clear starry sky. Until we fall asleep under it.