Last week, summer carpenter Pat returned from a week long work trip walking to Hurd Point hut at the southern end of the island, and calling in at the other coastal huts en route to carry out various building maintenance tasks. Last weekend, Keon also returned from a very quick two day walking trip to Hurd Point (one day there and one back). Most people walk the 35 kilometre trip to Hurd Point over two days (each way). That distance may not sound hugely imposing for a keen walker to do in a day, but the going is challenging with plenty of hilly and boggy terrain, and generally very windy weather. Consequently, few people try the one way trip in one day.
Doing the return trip in two days, instead of four, is a severe challenge. We are still not sure exactly why Keon set himself this challenge. Neither, it seems, is Keon. It may have had something to do with extravagant claims made at the bar one night. Regardless, Keon is happy to state that he will never do it again. His feet have blisters in places where most people’s feet don’t have places.
Keon and Pat share some photos.
