Tramp #3

The hut in the valley - comfortable sleeping for 20+

A slightly differnet approach to tramping for tramp number 3 - this time we would be tramping in up a river! Perhaps a creek would be a more appropraite description but even still, it was wet, it was scambling over big rocks, with full packs, and it was great fun. Luckily the sun was out so it didn't take long to get used to the cold water. As the group varied in height from about 5ft3 to 6ft3 the water depth varied from thigh deep to knee deep along the way - yes I was in the thigh deep category. After a few hours scambling up the creep we were all very hot and sweety so a nice big deep plunge pool at the end of hour hike was a very welcome sight - off with packs (and t-shirts!!??) and into the icey cold water - ah, how refreshing! The night was spent in a hut and as it was our last proper night out and about we had mulled wine and cheesecake - and even some whiskey for those that were happy to drink it out of a squeezey bottle. The morning was spent getting wet again - this time through the water caves - no packs but deeper water, waterfalls and tight squeezes into, around and through crevices - ha! this time being short was an advantage :-) Great great fun! Witha change of socks it was a 3 hour hike back to the van where we all packed up and headed back to Christchurch, the end of our 11 days. A great way to see New Zealand, to get off the beaten track, to be out in the fresh air, to see some marvellous sights and to spend it in the company of like minded people.