Start – Queenstown
Finish – Greenstone Hut
Daily Distance – 14 km
TA Distance – 2725 km
Bluff Distance – 316 km
I have been finding sleep elusive in towns recently. I think this is for a number of reasons, exacerbated by
the fact I have been sleeping in my tent because beds in hostels generally require booking well in
advance. Having grown accustomed to darkness and quiet when sleeping on trail, I am finding the light
and noise at all hours difficult to deal with. This was particularly noticeable in Queenstown where the size
of tent pitches would have been looked upon with disdain by the average battery chicken. The main
problem however was that tourist towns seem to attract so many people who are seemingly there for the
express purpose of spending all night drinking. I was so very glad to catch a bus back to the trail this
morning. This is actually quite a busy section of trail, as evidenced by the 30 people who are sleeping in
or camping at tonight’s hut. Frankly I am now regretting not pushing on and wild camping, but there were
only 4 people here when I arrived. Also, after 4 nights of interrupted hut/town sleep my energy levels
have been pretty low today. Still, looking on the bright side, while it is busier than I would wish, the
asshole density is at least much reduced.
On a positive note, a welcome and unexpected reunion has occurred today. Arriving at the hut I was
shocked to encounter Jasper and Marjon who I last saw in Whanganui almost 3 months and 1500km ago.
While it has been great to catch up, I was sad to hear that Marjon is the latest hiker to be struck down by
injury, requiring their return to Queenstown. A convenient hiking GP suspects tendonitis, which will
hopefully clear with rest, but the injury list just keeps mounting, agonisingly close to the end. Another
reminder for me to be grateful for each day as it comes. On that note, walking the Greenstone track has
been an absolute joy today. The path is a wonderfully maintained walk through beech forest, no washed
out sections, no roots providing a trip hazard, just a beautiful stroll in nature. It is even blessed with cool,
clear swimming holes for refreshing breaktime paddles, which I happily availed myself of. Fingers
crossed for another great, and longer, walking day tomorrow.
