We were up at the usual time with the usual breakfast but we really took our time as today's hike was only 11.8 km. My guess is that the track today was 35% uphill, 45% downhill and 20% level.
We passed 5 or 6 people headed in the opposite direction and one guy who stayed where we stayed the first night passed us. He must have gotten a very early start. One of the people who were headed in the opposite direction has an interesting job. He transports people's car keys so they meet their car when they are finished the trek. He drives their car from one end to the other day (50 km) and then hikes back too give hem their key. He appeared to be older than me and does the entire Heaphy Track in two days. That's a total of 80 km. He does this two or three times a week. That's one way to stay in shape.
We arrived at the Hut at 12:30 and this is the nicest and newest Hut on the Track having been built in 2014. There are 28 bunks and it even has two flush toilets. We also have a view of the Pacific Ocean where the Heaphy River flows into it.
After lunch we did a short but very steep hike to Mt. Otero which I would guess is 200 meters above the Hut. We did have a 360 degree view and were able to see back to where we spent the first night. Several of the surrounding peaks we in the clouds.
We will spend the rest of the day reading and relaxing. Tomorrow it's back to sea level.
Sunrise at Saxon Hut
Beautiful country! Looking forward to your next episode.
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