Waimakariri Harman Pass – Day 2 at Julia Hut

9:30pm /6 people in this 6-person hut and we made it. It was a long day and none of the 8.5 hours was easy. I’m glad I didn’t do this track on my own. It’s totally an unmarked route. We spent the morning scrambling up a rocky valley to Harman Pass – took 3 hours in all. Very slow going over loose, steep rocks. Cloud and mist came in just as we reached the pass. Decided not to do a side trip to Whitehorn and concentrated on getting down the other side of the pass. Steep, slow, and rocky. Just an occasional cairn to show the way. Crossed the icy cold river many many times. It started to rain steadily for the last 2 hours. This is no Great Walk I can tell you. Finally saw the swing bridge to the hut – what a GREAT site! Once here we headed down to the natural hot springs by the river and layed down in the hot sulfur water while it was raining on our heads. Luxury! Great to soak the muscles after today.

Now thats a rough trail!

Admiring the scenery

Roni where are you?

Add comment February 8th, 2003