836 - 847 Pirongia Hut
Well, that was wet.
The morning began with a gentle walk in mild weather through some really nice forest but as we got higher the weather deteriorated until we were walking through gushing water and mud.
I stupidly didn't put on my wet weather gear until to late and after about an hour I was cold. The track turned into a mild waterfall? It seemed like a long, long time before we reached the hut.
The hut is nice, if a little cold. I was soaked by the time I got there and it took multiple cups of tomato soup and staying in my sleeping bag to get warm again.
The plan is to stay here the night and then start down in the hopefully milder weather tomorrow.
There is nearly 20kms of road walking ahead though and some stream crossings that are marked as dangerous after heavy rain so if the weather continues then we may just hitch to Waitomo or at least hitch the road parts of the track. We shall see.
Hindsight
- Put your wet weather gear on before you get wet.
- Once your body temperature drops it takes ages to come back up.
