RICHMOND RANGES

It seems like just a few weeks ago, we were writing about the toughest section of the North Island.... wait, we were... + now I'm writing about the toughest section of the South Island. Uncomfortably close right? That's how I felt- overwhelmed.

I've hiked a lot in my life, but nothing close to what we've been doing, besides Katahdin + honestly, not even that compares. When you finish Katahdin, you go to your comfy home or cabin for the night with all your luxuries. Here, not so much, but I must say these huts are a godsend. Anyways, the point- with little experience of the rough stuff, it's intimidating.

The Richmond Range was our first longer track. It ended up taking 8 days, but with good weather + not making mistakes (which I'll get into very soon) it could've been around 5-6.

The first section started off pretty simple. Like any other hike, it rolled up + over green forested hills, across small creeks + was generally unexciting compared to what we knew was ahead. But, it can definitely get more interesting once you realize you don't have enough food. 

See this whole sending food ahead thing was new to us... but how we messed up this bad, I have no clue. Luckily there was a side trail into town that we could take to restock. It was quite a day of walking/hitching/waiting/wishing. We told our friends our goal was to get up to Starvaell hut that night (somewhat unreasonable)... + they weren't convinced. I remember our friend James saying "guys, just take it one step at a time. Get to Hope first, let's not shoot for the stars."

Well somehow the stars aligned + we made it. We were even rewarded with the best sunset we've had on the trip.

To sum it up, from there on, we just had one bump in the road with weather, which we were expecting. We had amazing weather to get to + over the Rintouls (hardest section) + I basically faced all my small fears of heights that day. The pictures ALMOST do it justice... 

I've found that the hardest part is after everything you've anticipated is over. The few day lull to town after the climax of the hiking section can sometimes just be the worst. Besides a very cool (but strenuous) river section + a climb to a beautiful view of red hills, we were ready to get to town. 

What a beautiful challenge. There are really no words to describe it all. 

Hope you enjoy the pictures,

Xo 

Marina