I must be insane. I think I almost died 2-3 times today. It took 12 hours to get here with the last couple of hours being the worst of it.
The trail from Aparima Hut to Lower Princhester is nonexistent for most of the way. It's marked. Barely marked in some places, in others there's conflicts between the trail on the GPS, trail according to the maps on the Kindle and the actual trail you're walking. That was an interesting and entertaining moment.
Anyway... The day started out well. As Jason reported the weather was fine and the trail, once the markers were spotted, was reasonably easy. Nice scenery, easy terrain good progress. It didn't take long for the terrain to become repetitive and tedious though. The constant tussock bashing and hopping from pile of moss to pile of moss across the swampy bits... The terrain was not conducive to a decent speed. Fortunately that was broken up by the occasional forested areas.
The final section was the worst. This was the forested section that lead to the hut. Started out well but at one point I stopped, had a drink, something to eat and checked the GPS. The trail was heading in the wrong direction compared to the trail on the GPS. Checking the map on the Kindle the trail didn't appear to be following it either. With the experience yesterday I decided to go back and see if I could locate the trail on the GPS. After a about 500 meters I realised why the trail no longer went the way it did on the GPS. The tree falls were impassable ahead for as far as I could see. It was at this point I decided to return to the trail and see where that would go. It did lead to the same place, just around the other side of the peak than the trail I was trying to follow. So that added an unnecessary kilometer to the walk but the bush bashing was quite fun.
At this point the GPS was telling me that there was only 2 hours of sunlight left and that there was still about 4km to the end of the track. In a straight line. So 5-6km on the trail and the experience so far had suggested that the trail wouldn't be conducive to a decent speed. Between the half dozen tree falls and a few rather narrow trails on steep slopes, one of which half gave way as I crossed it, I managed to get to the end of the trail about 9.30pm just after sunset.
The hut itself is pretty good but don't bother with the fireplace. The hut fills up with smoke. I ended up putting it out it was so bad. Checked the chimney in the morning and there was no obstruction. It just sucked. Or not, as the case was.
Managed to get cell coverage and arranged with Mike for a lift tomorrow.