South Island autumn tour
After my aborted trip in December, it seemed sensible to have another trip south in March. Unfortunately, a horrid cold I picked up on the ferry took a long time to clear, all the while Nelson had beautiful, delayed summer weather.
But, good weather continued mostly, as I went to the Isolation Hut area, coming out via the little-visited Napoleon Bivvy.
Then I travelled south, initially into Hapuku Hut behind Kaikoura, then to Canterbury, to Tarn and Youngman Stream Huts, which again involved more river-valley travel. At least up to Mt Somers, my feet were dry for once.
That changed with my return to Growler Hut up the Rangitata River.
But the weather had changed, and as I went into Jubilee Hut near Dunedin, my body got soaked.
Fortunately, I had the hut to myself and dried off, but the 10-bunk hut was full the second night.
Meanwhile, the rain came down.