Arthur's Pass

I haven't much time. Went up the west coast and completed a giant loop around the South Island. It was weird to drive roads I had been on two months ago but with Autumn as copilot. Anyway, I headed up the Waimakariri River valley for four nights. My intention was to explore the hut system in the upper reaches of the river. I arrived at my first hut (Carrington) at noon and decided to keep walking. I reached Waimakariri Falls Hut at 4pm in overcast conditions. After photographing a curious rock wren I went into the hut and knew my plan would have to be altered. The hut was super. A southwestern view of Mt. Murchison in this cozy 6-sleeper. I stayed there 3 nights (every one of them woken up at 6am by the gang of 11 kea banging on the roof). On the second day I rested and enjoyed the perfect weather and view. On the third I climbed to the Waimakariri Col and hung out for a long while. Day four I went to a horrendously buggy Anti-Crow Hut. The weather worstened and I am now in Christchurch instead of hiking the Cass-Lagoon. I will probably take a 25$ bus back to the park when the forescast improves. Cheers!!!! :)