As he traverses the Richmond Ranges, Bruce Hopkins solves an age-old mystery.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 23, 3 March - 10 March 2018
Richmond Ranges - St Arnaud
"After my longest stretch of consecutive days sweating it out in one of New Zealand's most rugged and beautiful hinterlands I finally find myself back in civilisation and internet connection.
"Just completed 13 days without a break on Te Araroa Trail and have now done what is regarded as one of the hardest sections of the trail.
I started at Pelorus Bridge, headed up the Pelorus river track then into the Bryant Ranges and the Richmond Range, in tandem with great young dude Bevan.
"The next three days I was on my own climbing around vertical rock cliff faces on Mt Rintoul, knowing that if you slip on your hand hold or foot placement, your reality will probably be a lonely death in the mist.
"Now to mend my frikkin, left knee, damaged when descending the scree slope of Mt Rintoul!"