Day 47 – Hamilton Hut to Arthur’s Pass

I spent today on the popular Lagoon Saddle track, part of a three-day loop.  Its popularity meant that the track was well maintained, a welcome change from the trackless river walking yesterday.  I didn’t see many other walkers, but the hut books were well full, including the markings of one fellow who had found every entry complaining of bad weather or difficult terrain and marked next to them “Harden up!”  There was also an entry by Martin & Einar from Norway. Under “main activity for this trip” they listed “ARMED TRAMPING.”

I was out to the road by three o’clock, and expected to have no trouble getting a ride, as this is the main thoroughfare between Christchurch and the West Coast. But traffic moved past at tremendous speed – terrible news for a hitchhiker. The only thing people like less than letting a seven-days-marinated hiker into their car is taking their foot off the gas pedal when they’re already doing a hundred twenty kilometers per hour.

I got one short ride, but it was three uncertain hours before I finally got picked up by a pleasant dairy farming couple that took me all the way into ChCh.