Early start under suspicious looking clouds. It wasn't long before I doffed the pack and dug out the wet weather gear. The rain didn't last long though and the wet weather gear doesn't breath at all so I changed out and stowed it again. This happened perhaps 4 times and I was starting to think "why bother?" The last time though... Brief, but torrential and cold.
The last stretch from Twinlaw down into the valley is steep and one of the locals I met said the wind was exceptional today. All I know is that I was able to lean into it at an impressive angle even with all the kit and was almost blown over a number of times.
Once down in the vally the trail crosses a road, heads over a couple of fields to a creek before following that. There didn't appear to be a ford and the poles went a little deeper than I was comfortable with so I headed back to the road. The trail returned to the road a couple of times so it wasn't that much of a problem.
If I'd not done this I'd not have had the good fortune of meeting Bill and his wife who topped up my water and threw another $20 at the cause.
I made camp at the Linton Station trailhead. No camping for the next 20km which will take me to the Telford Campsite.
After making camp and just before settling down to write this Ray and Charles arrived. They've made damned good time. They came from Merryvale Road today. Mind you, they had a really early start too.
The plan for tonight is an early one followed by an early start. Here's hoping for good tramping weather tomorrow.