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First hike of summer done. Nearly killed me. Gebbies Pass up to the Packhorse Hut. Didn't seem too daunting on paper.
Started out pretty ugly. The pine forest has recently been cleared so there was no shade on a very hot day.
Apart from the beginning, it was uphill all the way so I swore a lot and kept telling myself I was going to give up, but I JUST DON'T. Some parts of the track had me questioning whether I was on a hike or training for the SAS.
Finally made it to the volcanic rock outcrop which I want to say was called Dyke's Knob but that doesn't sound right. Something like that.
Finally made it to the hut. That's the long drop to the left. No treated water so lucky I took reserves.
Had a nice view of Kaituna Valley and out towards the Pacific Ocean for lunch.
Lovely views all round. This is looking out over Lyttelton Harbour, the remnants of a huge volcano.
This is looking west out across the Canterbury Plains with the end of Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) on the left.
Then it was time to head back down again and I'd love to tell you it was better but I fell over and grazed my knee, my water was tasting like warm beer dregs, and the ugly bit at the start was positively hideous on the way back out.
Eventually, I made it back to the carpark from where I could see my saviour, which is exactly what I called the bar tender when I stopped in on the way home.
