January 31, 2026Ahuriri River to Top Timaru HutTA km marker 2555.7 to 2580.8Hiked today: 25.1 km With another fine day, we were awake and packed up before the others at our campsite. We started up out of the river bed but unfortunately followed a goat track rather than our path…

January 30, 2026Lake Middleton to Ahuriri RiverTA km marker 2527.5 to 2555.7Hiked today: 28.2 km From our campsite by the lake we were shaded from the morning sun but were woken by cattle across the lake as well as geese on the water. We headed off around 7 am and…

January 29, 2026Twizel to Lake MiddletonTA km marker 2498.3 to 2527.5Hiked today: 29.2 km Well, our room at the Backpackers had a great shower and an electric jug and a small fridge, so it was quite adequate for our needs. In the evening, however, it sounded like a herd of…

January 28, 2026Lilybank Rd/ Boundary Ck to Tekapo to TwizelTA km marker 2428.6 to 2498.3Hiked today: 9.7 km We started the road walk back from our campsite toward Tekapo, hoping that we could get a hitch for at least some of the distance. There was very little traffic going our…

January 27, 2026Camp Stream Hut to Lilybank Rd via Stag SaddleTA km marker 2410.0 to 2428.6Hiked today: 39.0 km We woke to clear skies and set off early, optimistic that we might see views from the ridgeline. An early creek crossing ensured that we had wet feet and legs for…

January 26, 2026Lilybank Rd to Camp Stream HutTA km marker 2428.6 to 2410.0Hiked today: -18.6 km The rain, which started soon after we set up our tent, continued through the night but stopped, allowing the tent to dry before we packed up. We had a short walk up the road…

January 25, 2026Peel Forest to Lake Tekapo to near Lake TekapoTA km marker 2443.5 to 2428.6Hiked today: 14.9 km After breakfast, Steve drove us back to Geraldine, and we caught the onwards bus to Lake Tekapo. We had sent a message to a what sapp TA group explaining our plan…

The bus to Geraldine left on time and we arrived a little early, but Steve’s wife, Jenny, was there waiting to meet us. While she drove us to their home, we chatted about the area. We learned that Steve’s forebears were pioneer farmer settlers in the Canterbury region, also his…

January 22, 2026Hanmer Springs to ChristchurchHiked today: 0.0 km The rain came in the night, as promised, and continued most of the day. After a lovely breakfast at a nearby cafe, we checked out of our room at 11, and spent a few hours reading in the local library before…

January 21, 2026Hanmer SpringsHiked today: 0.0 km We’ve had a successful zero day in all respects. After breakfast, I headed off to my appointment, had the xrays and was glad to hear there was no fracture. I have bought a splint to help it recover. While I was busy with…