Day 14 - Rhintoul hut to Tarn hut

With service at our hut I looked ahead at the weather and it forecasted that a tropical cyclone was due to hit the day after I get out of the richmond range. No huge concern since that would be on my rest day, but after looking ahead I noticed one of my days - from Mid Wairora hut to Hunter hut - had a lot of climbing, and was around 10 hours of walking. On top of that I most likely wouldn't be getting a bunk at the hut. So instead of following the group, I decided to hang back a hut and only hike a half day. I would split up a hard day, and still get out of the range on the day that I planned. I mentioned my plan to Justin, he agreed it made sense and decided to join me.

There was a steep climb to the summit of Purple Top and then a easy hike back into the forest towards tarn hut. The biggest difficulty with the forest was that it was infested with wasps. There wasn't just a few here and there. They had taken over the trail. Buzzing around me with every step. I haven't been stung in over 15 years, and the thought of me possibly being allergic crossed my mind. I was happy to be wearing pants. At one point Justin and I looked at the map and estimated around 1 hour before we would reach Tarn hut, but with so many wasps we were practically trail running and made it there in about 30 mins.

Justin and I call many spots in the trial "Ringsy", referring to something that looks like its from Lord of the Rings. Tarn hut was very "Ringsy". A dark lake full of tadpoles and minnows. A sheep's skull rest at the head of the lake, and it certainly made it look uninviting to swim in. But I made promise to myself and I intended to keep it. Plus I haven't showered in about 6 days at this point so in the water I went! The lake was actually extremely beautiful once I got in. I never regret going for a dip!

Justin spent the evening carving a spoon out of a piece of wood since he forgot his spoon at the last hut, and I repaired my camp shoes and dried out some wet gear.

When evening came an American hiker who calls herself "Foxy" showed up to the hut, followed by an Australian women named Tina. They told us there was a big group in the hut behind us, and that most likely tomorrow night the hut we were planning on going to would be full. It wasn't the best news, but I was happy to have a bunk for tonight.

We made a fire and told stories of the trail. Turns out everyone kinda knows everyone, whether it's from reading the hut log books or passing on the trail. I'm used to having the TA to myself - as I didn't see a single hiker when I completed the North Island - so this community of people is going to take getting used to.