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Really thought today was going to be a weather day.  At about 9am last night the rain started.  It started heavy and stayed that way until about 8am, at which point it started to ease up a little.  I'm getting really close to the end now and really don't want to take a day off if I can help it.

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On the trail by 7.30 this morning.  The initial climb to Old Man wasn't too bad but it was quite windy and really cold up there.  Given most of the day was going to be on exposed tops I donned the gloves, hat, and windbreaker.  Wore them until Slaty hut where I conceded defeat and stripped back to a singlet.

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I think I blew out the estimates a little today.

Crossing Mt Rintoul would easily be the most demanding part of the trail so far.  Sheer vertical drops from trails less than a foot wide with wind that made it difficult to stand sometimes.  The trail isn't the hardest, but definitely demands your full attention.

Fantastic views of Nelson and Marlborough though. I even had a clear view to the North Island.

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The final kilometer to this hut is navigable with little more than an LED head lamp.

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Cool early start.  I was up at 5am and took advantage of the zipper at the end of the sleeping bag, waddled outside and stared at the stars for a bit.  Wonderful clear night and seeing as I'd not used a light yet my eyes were already dark adapted.  I think this was the clearest view of the Milky Way I've ever seem.  The dust lanes were quite distinct.  I also saw 3-4 satellites and a couple of decent meteors.

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Last shower for quite some time. If my estimates are correct I'm 9 days from Havelock where there should be facilities and resupply. The plan will be to push through instead of taking a rest day though. Getting real close to the end of the South Island section now. :)

Most of the days walk was on the road. Uneventful, nothing to report. The turn off to the carpark is well signposted though.

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Not the earliest start but it's a short day.

Decent frost this morning.  Glad I wasing in the tent last night.

We (myself and the larger family group) left around 9am.  Zander took off first and the rest of us took our own pace.  We stopped at the jetty about 750m from the hut and took photos of the lake and surrounds.  Really hope they come out.  Hoping for a good panorama.

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The trail from Upper Travers Hut to Lakehead Hut is pretty easy for the most part.  There's a number of avalanche paths where you end up taking your time but apart from that it's an easy walk.

I think I may have taped my foot up poorly though.  The ball of my foot feels like it's wrapped too tight, but only when I walk in a certain way. :/

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This area is getting crowded.

I was on the trail by 7.30am and made the bridge to West Sabine Hut by 9.  Two hours under the estimate.  Given the estimate for the Travers Pass  section I was considering stopping here and going for the next climb tomorrow.  However, with makeing such good time I decided to push on.

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Today was a fantastic day!

Up before the sun again and on the trail by 7 again.  Apart from the very chilly socks and shoes from the river crossings the previous day it was a good start.  The chill in the feet didn't last long once under way though.  I'm starting to weather the smaller discomforts better knowing how long they last once I start.