First day: Cass-Cass hut 33 river and creek crossings including 11 total foot immersion excluding puddles. Method for counting river crossings: I didn't count it as a crossing unless the water was moving under foot, even if I could hear trickling water I didn't count it. I also excluded bridges, mud puddles (some 4m long) unless all 4 of us had total foot immersion in same mud puddle.
A grueling "tramp" up hill and down dale in spectacular incredibly steep mountains in NZ alpine area through fast moving rocky rivers, tiny 200 mm wide path across 60 degree scree slopes and over the exposed roots of beech tree forests. No snow where we climbed but some remnants around the area. The only animals we saw were 3 hares and a ver few birds. Very quiet away from the river. We were going to stay at Cass Hut but the trip proved too much for one man we met along the way & his group took it over for the night prior to turning back the next day. We pushed on to Hamilton Hut.
Cass Hut - Hamilton hut This section had 11 river crossings including 5 total foot immersions. After 8 hours actual walking we were pleased to see a fantastic hut with kitchen facilities (a sink), bunks and a long drop toilet out the back. Had dinner and collapsed.
One of the river crossings:
