After I arrived in Nelson, I researched some hikes in the Kahurangi National Park.
I found a hike up to Mt. Arthur with a stay at Ellis Hut, which looked nice.
On saturday the weather was perfect, so I made my way up to Flora Carpark, which was an adventure on its own.
After a short walk, I arrived at Mt. Arthur Hut, where I had a quick snack, but I continued shortly after. The trail went over the bushline after the hut and the views were stunning.
The path followed a wide ridgeline through tussock and over gravel. It was very steep in some places, but the trail was nicely formed and easy to follow.
I left my pack at the junction to Ellis Hut and continued towards the summit. Those last 15 minutes were defined through a steep path with lots of scrambling.
But the view from the top let me forget the exhausting ascent and was totally worth it.
One of the things I could see from the top, was a group who went the same way I wanted to go, to Ellis Hut. Since Ellis Hut is not very big, I decided to go back to Mt. Arthur Hut and stay the night there.
But Mt. Arthur Hut was completly full as well, so I had to continue on to Flora Hut. I had carried my big backpack nearly all the way to the top and back, so the last part to Flora Hut was very challenging. But there were still some nice views.
Luckily there was a bunk left in Flora Hut, so I had a good nights sleep. I could even sleep in, considering that the carpark was only 20 minutes away.
I even met some other backpackers, whom I met in New Plymouth already.
My next stop is Nelson Lakes National Park now, where I am going to start a long hike on Thursday or Friday, depending on the weather. Of course, I am going to keep you updated.
Until then,
Cheers!
Max Abbe 