We walked through the mature forest, to the sound of birds and the river we followed. Within two hours we made it to Upper Gridiron Hut - a DOC hut which serves hunters and trampers year-round for a small fee. This is the quaintest and most romantic hut we have stayed in, as long as wooden shed's are not a turn-off for your nerves!
As you can see, the hut is nestled under a 45 degree cliff. It simply has 3 man-made walls and one half of a roof. Inside there are 3 beds, 2 surfaces to cook / store things on, a log buring stove and a few candles!
The sink was attached to the outside wall, water is from natural a spring and there is a long-drop (toilet in its primitive sense) a short walk away. There is also a swing chair (from which the picture below is taken) in front of a pit in which fires are made. The view is of bush, falling down into the valley through which a river gushes.
The night was cool but comfortable inside. We were dozing off just as the possums landed on our tin roof! I though the tripods had arrived from War of the Worlds, alas, these introduced marsupials were after any scraps of food we may have discarded!
We woke to the chorus of birds, ate porridge with the birds and farewelled the birds as we set off deeper into the park to Salisbury Hut. This hut is much more typical of the backcountry huts we have used before. It is above the tree-line which makes for a steep walk but great views over mount Arthur and many other peaks and valleys.
The night was cool but comfortable inside. We were dozing off just as the possums landed on our tin roof! I though the tripods had arrived from War of the Worlds, alas, these introduced marsupials were after any scraps of food we may have discarded!
We woke to the chorus of birds, ate porridge with the birds and farewelled the birds as we set off deeper into the park to Salisbury Hut. This hut is much more typical of the backcountry huts we have used before. It is above the tree-line which makes for a steep walk but great views over mount Arthur and many other peaks and valleys.
We arrived early afternoon so took the time to explore the bush sans packs. We found mushrooms, birds, potholes and spotted species of plants found in people's gardens but chose to make this place their natural home. Inside the hut we chatted and played cards with new friends, as well as bumping into a friend who swam in the Nelson sea series with us - small world!
The next day we had by far the hardest walk - over a peak called Gordon's Pyramid in strong winds. Bernie did a spot of break-dancing as we crested the peak, spraining her ankle in the process which made for a painful end to the journey. The views as we descended were amazing. We could see across the forest, down into the plains of Nelson and the mountians and coast beyond... more pics to follow!
We left the park hungry for non dehydrated food, but hungrier for more exploring of this awesome land!
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