The next section of tops between Mangahuka and Kime is known as the southern crossing. The topography creates winds exeding elsewhere in the range, on top of that the ridgeline gets steeper, a steel ladder provides acess between 2 otherwise unpassable peaks. If anything the conditions have deteriorated overnight so instead i take the escape route to Niel Forks on the shelterd easten side.
Putting on wet clothes is less than pleasent, even less pleasent is the first km back on the exposed ridge before the spur drops to the SE. Once below the tree line the wind stops, its a relatively easy 1000m drop down to the Hector river, it just goes on a bit, the vegetation changes from goblin forest to beech and final podocarp. A swing bridge crosses the river to Niel Forks hut, located beside the confluence with Niel creek. At just over 300m, its sea level as far as im concerned tho im still cold from wearing wet clothes. Its about as typical as they get, former nzfs with a deck and woodstove added, there's 6 bunks and water from the river. The rain eases to showers.
Its only 12.30 but pushing onto Cone would only give me a really short day tommorow so instead i get the fire going and dry gear. After 2 nights without fire its wonderful.
No comments:
Post a Comment