What started as a good night turned sour in the early morning. I was glad that I did pitch my tent as there was a lot of condensation. However, the wind changed direction and strength overnight and my tent flapped loudly. Too loud to sleep although I dozed off briefly dreaming that I parked a van nearby and I should just go to it. At 4 in the morning, I decided to pack and hike in the dark with my headlamp.
I had to look carefully a few times to see the marking poles, but it went all right. My mood wasn’t great, but it got worse…. Lost my handkerchief and started to think about things that made me angry. Having imaginary discussions and arguments. Why? I don’t know and I don’t like it when my mind starts doing it. But it is difficult to stop once I’ve started.
I reached the first hut (hunters’ hut) early in the morning where people were getting ready, I hiked already for more than two hours and was in a rotten mood. So I replied snappy at the genuine question that the people in the hut asked me. I left as fast as I could. Not wanting to be rude to anyone, but absolutely not in the mood for any small talk after my imaginary discussions.
Once I put on my Harry Potter audiobook I felt much better. I reached the second hut (Porters Hut) well under the estimated DOC time. Knowing so many hikers were behind me, I was well on schedule to get a bed at the next hut (Red Hill Hut).
I ate an early lunch and when I left at 12, no one else had turned up. The next section was estimated to take 5 hours. It took a little bit longer. It started with some sketchy parts where I had to focus, ignore the ‘what if I fall here thought’, and keep breathing. Because halfway through a sketchy bit, I could feel myself freeze and that is not helping at all. I made it safely through all the bits. I did slip a few times, but nothing serious.
It got so hot in the afternoon and I longed for a swim. 4 km from my final destination, there was a river big enough to submerge myself in. I did realise I would not make my estimated 4 hours and most likely would not make the DOC time. But that doesn’t matter. I would still get to the hut with plenty of daylight. Cooling my body down was definitely necessary and the water was the perfect temperature.
After the river, there was a steep uphill section, so instantly sweating again. By the time the ascent was finished, I was almost at the hut. I saw comments on FarOut that it’s best to fill up water at the last stream as this hut is known to run out of water. So the last 1 km I added 3 liters. Which I gladly used to rinse myself off once I reached the hut.
In the hut, the lower three bunks were taken. But I was just happy to have a bed. I also saw Thomas again. Two hours later the people I saw at the first hut came trickling in and soon the last two beds were claimed. It also allowed me to apologise for my grumpy behavior.
It was busy but everyone was happy as this was the last night of Richmond Ranges.
Zilla-in-the-wild 