Day 99: Sabine Hut to Blue Lake Hut (15 km and 1983-1990)

Wednesday, March 8

Knowing I had an easily doable day to Blue Lake Hut today, I didn't set my alarm. With so many people in the hut I also I knew there was no way I'd sleep in. I woke up around 7 and slowly got ready. Around 8:45 I finally left. It was an easy flat trail to Sabine Hut and I arrived around 1:15. There was a nice German couple there eating lunch. They were headed to Blue Lake Hut too. I went inside and looked at and signed the hut book. There were two more hikers inside. One came outside and told me and the Germans that there had been snow at Blue Lake Hut last night but it had melted during the day.

Around 2 pm I started hiking again. I got to Blue Lake Hut around 4:30. The trail went along a beautiful river and had views of a few nice waterfalls. It was wonderful! There was a tiny climb at the end, but it was probably good to get a taste of some uphill. Tomorrow I have to do the notoriously steep Waiau Pass.

When I got to Blue Lake Hut there were two Kiwis there. The girl was from Christchurch and the guy was from Nelson. After setting my pack on a bed I walked a few minutes to Blue Lake. It was pretty, but a little chilly so I went back to the hut and set up my bed. The German couple arrived and I made my dinner while we talked. A bit after I finished dinner John and Anthony arrived. They were cold and really wanted a fire so they cut up some dead wood and made one.

We all talked for a bit. I joined the conversation laying in bed, snug in my cozy sleeping bag since it was chilly. I was pretty tired for some reason so I fell asleep without watching a West Wing episode.