Jan 26, 2024: DOC camping, Aoraki

I’d made the most of the views last night knowing the forecast was for cloudy today, and sure enough, it was overcast and windy with showers. We (and a never ending supply of other tourists) decided it was still worth the flat 10km return walk up Hooker Valley.

The views came and went through the clouds and rain, and the wind failed to blow us off any of the bridges. I had some flashbacks to Torres del Paine in Chile where F and I watched people getting their poses on.

I don’t love walking with so many people, and I did ditch the crowd at the lookout and pick out my own route further up the valley. Fortunately, unlike Chile, this time I was not caught or threatened with eviction.

The return, with the wind blowing us home, seemed quick. The others “rested their eyes” and I made myself a cup of tea.
I lured F and M out of the tent for dinner, which was an exercise in holding onto everything so it didn’t blow away. Only 2 hands each is not enough.

For dessert, we had a Timtam tasting experience. (What can I say, I was inspired by the wine tasting, and there *were* even more flavours that I DIDN’T buy when we got groceries…)

That’s about when the torrential rain started, so we retreated to the tent with knitting, crossword puzzles, and books. As the rain and wind debated who could hammer louder on the tent, the debate inside the tent was whether it was worthwhile to get out of the tent to pee and brush teeth while it’s absolutely pissing or whether to put it off in hopes the rain would ease up.

I am very glad to have recently re-waterproofed the tent, and to have the amazing vestibule.

Alice