TA Day 7: Wednesday 25 December 2024

Merrivale - Birchwood (Birchwood Station)

Today we had meant to start early, but had some troubles getting up and getting going. It was raining, and we didn't feel too excited.

During breakfast we called our families to wish them Merry Christmas, it felt a little bit strange to see them celebrate Christmas together without us, while we were sitting among farmlands on the other side of the earth.

Today's hike started off with some road walk in the rain. After some time the road turned into a gravel road, and later into a path, that led us up a steep hill in a cozy forest. Kim was so tired and thirsty today, so progress was very slow. Finally, we reached the top, just to start to make our way down. This time through a sheep pasture that was just as steep as a ski hill! And long too, our knees were not the happiest... But even after gradually becoming flat, we still had plenty of pastures more to pass through. Kim was tired and the pastures seemed never ending... but eventually they ended, and we finished the last bit of hiking for the day.

There, at Birchwood Station, we met Thomas again, but also three other hikers that we could never stop talking to because they were so nice!

Today's:

Distance: 26.54 km

Ascent: 1042 m

Descent: 1012 m

Tent nights: 0/7

Weather: Misty, cloudy, rainy