Day 8: Middy Hut to Browning's Hut

17.8km - 9.5 hours

It's never taken me 9 hours to hike 17km but today it did. It's a telling sign that I was in for a big day when the DOC sign said Middy Hut to Rock Hut 5km - 3 hours. 3 hours! It must be steep. It was!

After crossing a good long wire swing bridge it was straight up. But not an easy up, climbing up over hundreds of exposed tree routes, navigating muddy ponds and then more dug out foot holds in the side of the hill. It was break your ankle territory. I powered up it. I realized now that I should not have complained about it being leg day everyday at the gym for 4 months when I couldn't use my hand, when in actual fact it was exactly the training that I needed for this!

The bush we were climbing was beautiful, almost tropical like and the lichen and moss on everything gave it such a cool atmosphere. Made me think that this place normally has a lot of rain and cold just not today, it was so unbelievably humid. Within a half hour my shirt was absolutely soaked through with sweat. I was dripping! I stunk, it's so gross but you just live with it.

In just under 3 hours we made it to Rock hut for a rest. I boiled myself some water and had a coffee while my shirt was off, trying to dry it out in the sun. The greatest part of this hut however was the toilet. Normally when I mention toilets it's for all the wrong reasons and usually it's because they're on my list of worlds worst toilets used but this one, oh, came with a flush button and a toilet brush! The luxury! No toilet paper as usual though.

We continued on another 11.5kms mostly up but a few down hill parts. Through super thick native bush which was quite a challenge bush bashing through eye height bush and muddy steps and rocks unable to see below.

After we climbed to the top it opened up into this stunning tussocky alpine landscape. My favourite type of landscape. The white Daisy's with yellow centres were out so too wax flowers. I was in a very happy place! This is exactly the reason I love hiking. Incredibly hard work to get there but such rewarding views when you're high above the tree line.

Back down into bush for the last couple of hours but it didn't get any easier. Harder and more technical in fact. It was a very steep downhill clamber, slippery mud and then the river had washed out a huge chunk of the path and made cliff faces so we had to follow it downstream a bit then scale a cliff (no easy feat in a backpack at hour nine) to go get back up and bush bash to rejoin the path.

I've set up my tent near the stream then had a little wash in the water to get all the mud off my legs. My bodies feeling good again after today. I'm loving my Altra trail shoe choice and also loving my tent. So much! It's like a home away from home and I've got into a routine each day now of where things go and where to put everything. Shoes in the left vestibule, poles on the right. Socks hanging underneath the outside, the clothes I wear each day (the same one pair) drying in the net pocket above my feet. Then in the pocket above my head, all the things I need in the evening and first thing in the morn. Pack, food bag and cooking bag inside with me too so no possums get to it.

I'm in a serious calorie deficit at the moment. I'm burning about 4500 calories a day and I don't think I'd even be consuming half that. Strangely not that hungry either but forcing myself to eat! They say hiker hunger will hit at some point.

Time to put my buff over my eyes, ear plugs in and sleep.

Ren x