Diary

Wednesday, 31.03.04
What a trip. Managed to get lift from Arthur’s Pass to the start of the Goat Pass Track and started down the Deception River at 10 a.m. Thought it’ll take me about 5 or 6 hours to get to Goat Pass Hut. Bugger. Took me 8 h and if I knew what would be expecting me I wouldn’t have done it. Had to be fording the Deception more than 10 times (water up to the knees) and every time I tried to avoid a fording I ended up free-climbing over huge boulders. Glad I didn’t slip there. Had to climb up more than 2 meters sometimes with the river underneath me and my pack on my back. When I think about it now it was totally stupid to take those risks. But still… kind of proud that I managed. The way was poorly marked and at some points I had to be crawling on my knees to get under fallen trees because it was the only possible way. This trip was probably the most demanding (concerning the difficulty of the way) that I’ve done so far. Rivalling with the alternative finish route for the Kauerangi Kauri Trail ;-)
I was more than relieved to see the hut at 6 p.m. Had a nice quiet time in the hut and a lot of noisy Keas outside. Ohropax can help.

Thursday, 01.04.04
Checked with the Visitor Centre at Arthur’s Pass over the radio in the hut what the weather will be like and if the Mingha river would be fordable. Rain in the early afternoon.
So I packed my stuff and made a quick departure.

The way was fine and a Sunday walk compared with the Deception path. Managed to reach the street just before the rain started. The river crossings were fine, although I didn’t bother anymore to put on my sandals so the water was standing in my shoes.
Buggered. Didn’t get a lift to Arthur’s Pass so I had to walk for 1,5 h from the end of Goat Pass Track to Arthur’s Pass. Glad to have finished the track.