Day 95.  Stag Saddle – TA High Point.    February 5, 2016

15.5 km
Royal Hut km 2336 to Camp Stream Hut km 2351.5

This morning I checked the weather with my Delorme InReach SE. Only a 38% at 2pm. And more importantly it wasn’t raining and I could see all the surrounding mountains. Sweet! No more food worries. If it was raining I was ready to sit out the day. But it would have meant some serious rationing of food.

It doesn't look like rain. And that is toward the pass.

The climb up was pretty straight forward and easy.

Looking back as I climbed up.

Almost to the top

I sat on top for an hour. Cell phone coverage, views, no need to hurry. Perfect. It really didn’t look like it was going to rain. But I did opt out of taking the ridge walk to the hut. Instead I went down  the river valley, tussock bashing all the way. Later when every single cloud disappeared I wished I was on the ridge.

Stag Saddle. The ridge I should have walked is to the right.

I got to the hut at 4. This hut is pretty rustic. Holes in the roof are covered with duct tape. I could camp but sleeping inside is easier and it’s windy. And the longer I am here the less rustic it seems.