Our South Island jaunt to Lewis Pass was initially a bit stop-start due to the usual vagaries of Inter-islander Ferries. This time they managed to load too many passengers and cargo. ‘Fortunately’ the captain noticed before we entered the Cook Straight (7m swell) and we headed back to unload the trains! Handy tip number 1, if this ever happens, is to complain and you get free food/drink vouchers ($15). Debbie took control and provided a lesson in assertiveness that ended up with us all having too much food and drink!
It was nearly 1am by the time we got to Picton and Handy tip 2 is that there is a great little park area just off the State Highway (opposite the aerodrome) which is ideal for crashing the night if you’re ever left high and dry by Inter-islander.
Two of the Groups camped at the lay-by and the next morning after a relatively leisurely start we bid farewell to the ALP group and headed off in the glorious sunshine to Lewis Pass. We finally started on the track at around midday to allow us to get a short way into the bush before stopping for lunch. The track is really well marked and DoC had obviously been through fairly recently to clear wind-fall.
Weimin set the pace for quite a while and must have harboured a desire to convert us to Medium Fitter’s, we got to within striking distance of the Hut by late afternoon. After consulting with everyone, Spencer thought the best option would be to tent overnight on the shore of Lake Christabel. We found an idyllic spot and set up camp. 
The next morning was an easy couple of hours to Lake Christabel Hut. GPS stats for the walk from road-end to the Hut were 5h 24m moving time, stops took us up to about 7 hours. The second day was pretty wet, but being under bush cover it was hardly noticeable (apparently Wellington had been a wash-out :0) ). Once at the Hut Spencer held the fort whilst the remainder of the Group did short (2.5 hour walks) Debbie went to explore the Robinson Track whilst Henry led the rest of the group up the pass towards Rough Creek. 
DoC had recently carried out a 1080 drop in the area with amazing success; initially there were dead possums’ everywhere. Having managed the rare feat of keeping socks dry on the first day, Rough Creek offered no such luxury, and it was necessary to go in and out of the river on occasions – unless of course nature obliged with a carefully placed tree…
Once above the bush-line the weather started to close in a bit and time was moving on so we decided to turn just before the saddle. 
Dinner back at the Hut was another WTMC cookbook feast. We were joined by three other trampers for the night (the only people we saw all weekend). It’s an 8 bunk Hut. Andy & Sue camped in a little clearing (and were delighted to find that on getting up for a pee during the night they were surrounded by glow-worms!)
Monday’s walkout was once again in sunshine. Giving ourselves a bit of contingency (in case someone leaves their jacket in the hut/moves your pack so you end up spending an hour looking for it, etc.). We left at 7am and arrived back at the van at the planned time of 1.30pm on the dot. For most of the group it was another leisurely day, Gareth even finding time for a dip to freshen up, unfortunately Beccy didn’t have the camera to hand for the preceding balancing on a log in mud trick.
