By Ruth

Today was a very rainy day. We could have carried on walking to the next hut, but it seemed like it would be a bit miserable and because of the past two huge days we wouldn’t even be eating into our emergency days by waiting out the day. Also, importantly, we had bunks in this hut, which would not be a guarantee for the next one, and we felt it would really suck to set up our tent in a downpour. So we decided to stay and have a rest day in Rintoul Hut.

It was a very cozy and relaxing day. We treated ourselves to a hot breakfast of oats and peanut butter. We made the oats with our milk powder so they were extra creamy and delicious. The rest of the day we just read, napped, and chatted with the other people in the hut who had also decided to wait out the weather. Around midday two bedraggled hikers came in, about an hour apart. They had both just come over the summit in pouring rain, high wind, and super low visibility. I think they were disappointed to find out the hut was full and after drying off for an hour or so they both continued on. Seeing them made me extra glad of our decision to stay put.

The weather tomorrow looks a little better, with only a few millimetres of rain predicted, so we will continue on. It will be a bit sad to leave the hut which feels like we made it our home over the course of the day today.