I did manage one great little trip to Mt Aspiring National Park.  I got back to Wanaka at the end of the day and tried to hitch out to the end of the road. I was hoping to get to the hut which is 2 hours from the carpark. I only got about a quarter of the way and had to find someplace to camp. My last ride was with a guy who parasailed off Rocky Mountain. After he landed and I still hadn’t gotten a ride I asked him if there was any place he thought I could camp. He showed me a great place on the map. I hiked up to the top and could see Mt Aspiring and then set up my tent lower down. It turned out to be a great plan B.

Part way up Rocky Mountain. Looking back at Roys Peak and Wanake.

View from the top of Rocky Mountain

Morning view

The next morning I got a ride the rest of the way. I dropped off my stuff at the hut and hiked up to the viewpoint past treeline. I wanted to go all the way to Cascade Saddle but I didn’t have enough time. The weather was perfect but a storm is expected tomorrow. I sure can’t be disappointed with the view I got.

Perfect day

Rainbow instead of mountains on my way out

I went back to Wanaka. First stop was for a burger.

I love this town. It’s been a great place to just hang out. Plus there have been some great sunrises.

Lots of TA walkers have passed thru and it’s been fun to talk to them.  I saw Jana, Eva and Malcolm that I had met on 90 Mile beach way back at the beginning. I hadn’t seen them since the first town. There have been over 20 TA walkers here the last 2 days!

I did a day hike  up Roys Peak which is just out of town. It felt great to breathe hard again.