Day 52. Christmas Eve at Nichols Hut. December 24, 2015.

12 km in 9 hours
Matawai Hut km 1556 to Nichols Hut km 1568

What a gorgeous morning! I love the huts that are situated high up and with great views.

Looking back down on the hut

The track climbed up right away and Brett caught me just before the top.

Brett on top.

The day was sunny with some clouds and very light wind. Until the end when it got a bit misty.

12 km in 9 hours with a one hour lunch was just about what the trail notes said. 4-5 hours between huts. All day was slow as I carefully chose each step.

I ate lunch with Charlie at the very cute 2 bunk Dracophyllum Hut.

There was some in the tree walking.

Misty end of the day

I am sleeping at Nichols Hut. It is supposed to sleep 6. There is a hunter, Dave, who is here for a week. He helicoptered in. There are 7 TA hikers. Dave didn’t know anything about the TA when he chose this hut. He has had company every night and he certainly knows about it now. The trail notes don’t mention that the hut has a wood burning stove. With 8 bodies in there we didn’t need it.

It’s Christmas Eve!

Nichols Hut