Welcome Flat Hut Hike

So this comes under the heading “What do you think you’re doing?”!  I don’t exactly know what possessed me to think that strapping on a real backpack (one with sleeping bag, etc. in it and a terrible fit) after over 20 years and thinking it would be fun to hike in to a hut for 18 km one way and back out the next day the same 18 km would be easy! 

Anyway, after all is said and done, we had a great time and I’m not really even that sore!  This is listed as an easy tramp (even though it’s 18km) and I guess it’s relatively easy.  After starting out having to cross a sketchy river, we went up and down, over and under, slipping on rocks and walking through the forest.  In all, it’s only a 1500 ft. gain, but I think with the up and down it had to be at least twice that!  I only fell once, in a waterfall area yesterday, and once, in a different area today.  There is moss, water, logs, and rocks and that all combines for an interesting hike.  We made it to the hut in about 6 hours including lunch.  The track is listed as 7 hours so I felt pretty good.  

Welcome Flat Hut sleeps 31 and I think it was full last night.  We got there and sat in the hot springs, which really rested those tired muscles.  We went in again before dinner, and then talked a little to the ranger.  We saw an animal on the way and he thought it might have been a chamois.  I also finally saw the Southern Cross - knock another thing off the list!  

This morning, we got up early – well sort of early – and headed down.  That took us 5 ½ hours.  We were glad to see the car!  We drove back to Fox Glacier where we are staying, bought some beer and groceries, and also headed out to the Mt. Cook viewpoint since it’s a clear day!  If we can find a burger tonight, that’s where we’re heading!  Tomorrow, we want to see the sunrise so it’s probably up and out really early and then we’ll hike around Fox Glacier and head to Wanaka.