“On a Mish” #62 Above and Beyond (Part Two). Benmore Hut. Korowai/Torlesse Tussockland Park. 3.10.2009. Lots of people like to hike to a hut and then kick back and soak in the experience they just had while out on a mish. Others see the hut as a stop off point as they go above and beyond their desired sleeping location. Many times, this has enhanced the experience and giving me an extra elevated view of the area I’m visiting. However, on the odd occasion the extra stroll has meant using more time out on the mish than the hours of daylight on than day…
High above Benmore Hut we found deer signs but nothing living, so with the light disappearing we retreated down to the hut. At one point I mentioned the time and daylight, and in true ‘hunter on prey’ fashion Paul snapped out of his tracking animal trance and realised that we needed to turn back so we didn’t get lost in the dark.
The track above the hut is lightly marked so we lost the trail a couple of times, and this meant more time stumbling around in the dark. After a race against daylight, we made it back just as our head torches were taking full effect. It is safe to say we made use of every second of daylight available!
While staying at Benmore Hut, I decided to bring a new tent and put it to the test. And I can say it was a lot comfier in my tent than with the fellas in the hut as the chimney was blocked and the hut was more smoke than oxygen!
An early-ish start was needed due to heavy rain in the forecast, and because of the crossing of Thirteen Mile Bush Creek we needed to get out of there before the water came up. We had a quick breakfast then headed back down the track as the first drops of rain began to fall. We made it back to the cars just as the real rain arrived and we were happy to throw the wet gear in the car and head home.
This mish (Benmore Hut) was awesome and only a short drive away from Christchurch on State Highway 73. If you are looking for a quick adventure with the possibility of going above and beyond a hut, then get yourself to the Benmore Hut Track and check the place out for yourself!
