Day 14 to 18 – Ahuriri River – Lake Tekapo (East)
Day 14
Route : Ahuriri River – Relic Tin Hut
Length: 13 km (183 km)
Profile : River crossing
After picking up Tim at the “road”, the first thing we had to do was to cross the Ahuriri River (without a bridge). We had tried before to clarify with people coming from the north how difficult it is to make the crossing. Since it had not rained for days, the water only rose to just above my knees, the others chose another spot and got a little wetter there. I had chosen wet boots, the others went barefoot
I had no regrets, as past experience had already shown that wet boots are not as bad as you think
In the afternoon it had rained, as already predicted. Since there is officially no hut on this route, we already prepared ourselves for wet tents. But fortunately we learned from other hikers that there is still an old abandoned shepherd’s hut on the way. With low expectations of the comfort of the hut, we were very positively surprised with a dry roof over our heads. There were 6 beds, but only two of them usable and a place for me to sleep on the floor
Day 15
Route : Shepherd hut – Ohau Lake
Length : 20 km 8h (203 km)
Altitude difference : 700 m
Profile : easy route
Day 16 and 17
We rented bikes to get to Twizel and explore the area a bit from there.
Day 18
Route : Lake Tekapo (South) – Lake Tekapo (East)
Length: 16 km (219 km)
Profile: Along the lake
Cabins
We sleep about every other day in your hut, which are run by DoC (Department of Conservation). There are caretakers for the huts, but none has crossed our path yet
To use the huts you have to pay a fee beforehand. We paid 96 NZD for half a year
The huts, in which we have stayed so far, were quite simply furnished. There are 6 – 12 simple bunk beds, a table where you eat and pass the time together or alone, and a sideboard with sink. Running water is supplied by a large barrel of rainwater. There is no shower
Official website of Te Araroa
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