The bone of contention

Earlier than expected, we come back with new adventures. We had signed out for 30 days to advance 450km from St. Arnaud to Lake Tekapo in the south. But it only worked for 3 days😯. We walked happily on the first three stages. With great weather, beautiful nature, fun hut stays (a bit like summer camp in the past😁), and funny hiking companions from all over the world. On the 3rd day, we had to climb 1800m to the Travers Saddle and descend within 5km from the summit to 600m to the next hut. The walking tour turned into a climbing party: so steep and rocky, always on the edge without clear path guidance, that it became highly dangerous for us. The joy of "summit conquest" turned into pure fear. We were at our limit for 7 hours on 8km (!!). Arriving at the next hut, we had to gather ourselves first. Susi and I had only one thought: we don't need this again and we didn't come to NZ for this. Since the first 3 stages of the TA were part of a five-day circular route around St. Arnaud, we decided to leave the TA and return to the starting point. Despite all efforts and the dangerous situation (last week several walkers were picked up from the mountain by helicopter because of the weather conditions), it was impressive days amidst unique nature, which was very wild last week (lots of rain) in the river accompanying us and as stream on our paths. Two wasp stings and a bruised shin from a fall on rocky terrain (colliding with a stone) give the fantastic impressions a lasting memory. 😯.

After five forest stages back in civilization, we checked into a lodge to sort ourselves out and treated ourselves to a pizza with a suitable drink in the evening after days of culinary abstinence. Full of hope to move on quickly, we went to the DOC Info Center the next morning. The result was disillusioning. Nothing is possible to the south and gladly to the north next day. And now guess where. Naaaaaa, right. NELSON. Susi and I have now declared Nelson as a unit of measure. One Nelson = 1 week.

Since the word "tomorrow" only exists in Spanish, we stood on the road to hitchhike. First two hours towards the south. After 30 cars (29 of them work vehicles and one didn't see us because we're so thin now), the realization was that it won't work in this direction. So quickly to the other side towards Nelson and 20 cars later, Tom, a very likeable native Brit from Leeds and a teacher in Nelson, stopped and took us with him, so we made progress on the same day. Tom was so impressed with us that he even added a city tour in Nelson.

So, new idea: From Nelson to Christchurch and from there with the shuttle to Boyle, to pick up the sent food package (Susi has sent so many emails there that she has already made friends with the employee😁). Answer at the Info Center: "To Christchurch, gladly. But only on Friday. What? Today is Monday? Since the lady at the counter was hopefully in her training, Susi and I opened our own Info Center. Result: From Nelson to Picton, from Picton to Christchurch (6 hours by bus), and from there with the shuttle to Boyle. Yippee. We'll be there tomorrow (Thu.). And as a little reward, we'll take the Trans Alpine Express (train) from Christchurch (no, not Nelson) to Arthur's Pass on Saturday (01/27/18). Here we will hike for 2-3 days and then continue south for new great experiences. We will report.

Conclusion: Sometimes you need a bone to collide with, to realize that you should take good care of yourself !!

Warm greetings

Susi and Andreas