Start – Whakahoro
Finish – John Coull campsite & hut
Daily Distance – 37.5 km
TA Distance – Off-trail
Today we passed into scenery that wouldn’t have been out of place in a Jurassic park movie. I half
expected Mark’s frequent crooning to alert a t-rex that would proceed to eat us to his dulcet rendition of
“Afternoon delight”. Given that not a one of us can sing with any real ability, unexpected dinosaur death
didn’t hold the mortal terror it may have.
Lunchtime was spent recovering from the morning’s exertions like the serious explorers that we are. Well,
for about 5 minutes until somebody spotted rocks to jump off. Other serious explorer games included who
could throw a stone across the river and who could skim the largest rock. It truly is the little things!
The John Coull DOC hut where we are staying the night is very modern, with all the comforts of home.
Which makes it slightly peculiar that everyone has chosen to camp tonight. I chose to camp because I
have developed a nighttime toothache that has been keeping me awake. Best guess is that everyone else is
just turning feral. I may need to watch them in future lest they turn to cannibalism when the last pack of
noodles has been eaten. Fortunately, a guide who is escorting another group down the river had leftover
stir fry, so the weak and the sick need not worry about being picked off tonight.
