Day 2: Clinton Hut – Mintaro Hut

At 16.5km, day 2’s walk was the second longest.

There are more rainy days in Milford Track than otherwise!

True to its reputation, we experienced the rain on day 2.

The scenery along the way, I have to say, was not as beautiful as day 1. Moreover, because of the rain and the cold weather, the mountain views were shied away by thick fog!

The trail is not as ‘flat’ as day 1, but it was not really difficult either though at times the walk was hampered by the rain a little.

The track also passes through many avalanche paths and signs are posted to warn walkers of the danger.

By the time we arrived at Mintaro Hut in the late afternoon, we were drenched! Little did we realise at that time that some ‘bad’ news was awaiting us!

The park ranger came by in the evening and informed us that it was snowing up on the mountain. If it started to snow during the night along the trail and the snow exceeded 400mm, then we would have to be flown out of Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut by helicopter the following morning as it would not be possible to walk on / through the thick snow. While some were cheering for it – it means less walking – it was not a welcoming news to most, as we would prefer to walk than to be on the helicopter. That’s what we came to Milford Track for!

More disheartening news!

The ranger continued by saying that if the weather was so bad that it rendered landing (of the helicopter) impossible, then we all would have to be grounded and stay for an extra day at Mintaro Hut.

SIGH!

The first thing that came to everyone’s mind was ‘how are we going to spend the extra day here without electricity and nothing else to do, and what about food!?’

‘I will drop by tomorrow morning around 8:00 to give you the latest news. Don’t leave the hut before then,’ with this reminder, the ranger left us.

We went to bed praying hard that the weather would be good the following morning!

Everyone kept their fingers crossed!

Continuing our ‘big’ walk – 16.5km to go
and estimated walking time – 6 hours!

Scenery is not as beautiful as that of day 1.
Moreover with the rain, mountains
were shrouded in mist / fog.





Round-shaped toilet along the trail

Long way to go!

Warning and reminder signs (above and below)




‘Bus-stop’ – no bus would come by, just a pit stop!

Mintaro Hut (altitude 600m)

Drying our wet clothing and shoes (above and below)

Inside the hut