Dundas hut
Wednesday 17 May, 2000

Cold! I'm wearing every single item of clothing I have with me (two polypropylene vests, a woollen singlet, a woollen jersey, a pullover fleecy top, long johns, nylon overtrousers, thick wool socks, wool balaclava, polypropylene gloves) and only just keeping the cold out.

The weather cleared overnight and we had cloudless skies, sun, and only a little wind when we started today. After lunch the wind got up, and near the hut the cloud rolled in. But it seems to have blown away — now there's a full moon up, and stars dot the sky. The wind is still here though.

I've been to Dundas hut once before, over 15 years ago. I've always liked the name, "Dundas". It's a solid name, a no-nonsense name. You know it will be rugged country around Dundas hut. It's an area only true trampers come.

There's 3 bunks, 6 beds. A couple of wooden benches and an aluminium bench against the wall for cooking on. There's a skylight and two small windows. The hut was built in 1960. In spite of the cold (perhaps because of it?) this is where I want to be right now.

Today was a tough day, constantly up and down, all in the tussock above the bushline. By the end of the day it's your knees and ankles that feel it most. They bear the brunt of the downhill. Perversely, you'd almost prefer going uphill to down, less strain on the knees and ankles.

I've called Deb on the cellphone. A world away, she was making dinner while Matthew watched a video. It's the first time I've ever had a cellphone on a tramp. I loved hearing her voice.

Tomorrow, again, is dependent on the weather. If the weather holds, we'll stay an extra day (6 instead of 5), and do the trip we planned. If not … well, we'll see tomorrow.

< previous — next >