Cass-Lagoon Saddle Days 1 and 2
I’ve decided to stay yet another night in Arthur’s Pass. Been here awhile now, 10 days I think. The weather was crap for 2 days with rain and grey skies so I didn’t do any walking, and one of the days I went into Greymouth for the day with Lee, another guy from the hostel, to get more food. 1.5-hours drive each way just to go to the supermarket!
After that I did the Cass-Lagoon walk, a 30 km (20 mile) 2-day tramp in the Craigeburn Forest Park. The first day we had beautiful weather – blue skies and lots of sun – and I really enjoyed the walk over Lagoon Saddle and through the mountain pass. Stayed the night at Hamilton Hut with 2 DOC workers, a Dutch couple, and Lee and 2 of his friends.
Next day (yesterday), we woke to up rain and lots of it. Walked 15 km (10 miles) up and over Cass Saddle and back out to the road. It rained the entire time and I was cold and wet. There is no such thing as summer in New Zealand. It just doesn’t exist. It was a pretty walk out through beech forest but not so enjoyable in the cold rain.
I got a ride as soon as I hit the road with an Aussie guy for the 30 km ride back to Arthur’s Pass. The sun came out in the afternoon for a few hours, but the rain came back for the evening and night. Blah. Blah. Blah.
Woke up this morning to a wet tent and lots of cloud cover, but it is now 10am and the cloud has burned off. Still, I’m staying another night to rest up and decide where to go next. My knee has been bothering me lately which is a bit of a bummer – I think it’s the injury I had in Lao acting up again. Motivation for more hiking is a bit low at the moment. Need some quality hammock time on the beach.
Views from Lagoon Saddle
Magic
Don’t take a break on this stretch!
Add comment February 15th, 2003