Took a shuttle from Christchurch to the trail near the Bealey hut, we got started hiking around noon. We hiked through some low clouds before things eventually cleared.
The path wasn’t difficult, we got to the A frame shelter for a lateish lunch and we pleasantly surprised to run into Katie, Georgia, Gerben and Sanne.
At that point there are two more huts one in 5k and another in 10k, the closer one is only a 5 bunk and supposed to be kind of crappy. There were a bunch of small river crossings along the way. The sun came out and although it was cool, it was a nice day, great for hiking, but a little cold to stand around without a jacket.
The first hut was amusingly run down, I had a good laugh. We were definitely going on to the second hut.
We made it to the Hamilton hut around 6:30, just in time for dinner.