Day 85: Captain Creek hut to Browning hut

I had slept well apart from an hour or so when I was awake trying to figure out what to do about my shoes. I set off just around 8 to the next hut, Middy hut. There were a few swing bridges to cross, which were kind of cool to cross and I saw an eel hanging out in a pool.

I was at Middy hut in a jif since the trail wasn’t difficult and took a short break before continuing on to Rocks hut. This was a bit slower going since after crossing the Pelorus one last time, the trail headed up. It was about 700m up to Rocks hut and I was quite sweaty by the time I got there since there wasn’t much of a breeze. It was only 11:30 so I had an early lunch then went up to the look out behind the hut and got my first real idea of the Richmonds.

I also had cell service, which confirmed that the stores in Nelson (closest town) don’t sell Topos, my brand of trail runners. I decided that I might as well go to St-Arnaud to get my pair from my box there, which is only slight further away.

From Rocks hut, it was a long, very gradual climb up to a grassy area with more views of the Richmond’s before heading down a steeper path to my home for the night, Browning hut.

I seemed to have the place to myself but as I was eating dinner, I was startled by a sudden sound as 5 mountain bikers pulled up. They were out for an evening ride and just stopped at the hut for a short break before heading back down. I was pretty impressed that they made it up here on their bikes since it’s more of a hiking track. There are two things that I like about this hut so far, there are way less sandflies than yesterday and the mattresses are new so I should have a comfy night.