🗓️ February 13, 2026

🏁 Kilometers : 2422

We spent the morning in the small town of Geraldine with Natalie, Nathan from Great Britain, and Roisin—pronounced [Roh-shin]—from New Zealand. In the afternoon, Roisin's aunt drive us to the start of the next section around 3 p.m. Yvan, meanwhile, had decided to attempt the Rangitata River crossing yesterday; we should meet him on the trail tomorrow.

After being dropped off, we hike up a valley in the wide, rocky bed of a small river for about twelve kilometers. The trail then forks to the right, and we climb a steep, leg-breaking slope. We reach an old hut where we pitch our tents in the grass all around it, none of us wanting to sleep inside, as the mattresses don’t inspire confidence. We do, however, eat our meal there by candlelight.

🗓️ February 14, 2026

🏁 Kilometers : 2450

We agreed the day before to start our hike at 6:30 a.m. The alarm clock stings our eyes, and the cold isn't very encouraging, but we're all ready on time. I'm amazed by their motivation and enthusiasm; the three of them are between 21 and 25 years old and all have fantastic spirits!

We start off with a steep 800-meter climb through thick fog for an hour and a half. After crossing the pass, we descend into a valley, and the mist dissipates before our eyes, so by 10:00 a.m. we're treated to a beautiful blue sky. Perfect, as today we'll reach the highest point of these six months of hiking, so good weather is definitely preferable. We take a break at an intermediate hut and use the opportunity to dry our tents.

We then begin the climb to reach the highest point at 1,935 meters, with another 600-meter ascent. When we reach the summit, the views are breathtaking! Facing us is Lake Tekapo with its turquoise waters, and slightly to the right, a mountain range with New Zealand's highest peaks, including Mount Cook at 3,724 meters with its eternal snows. All around, rocky summits and hills are covered in golden grass. We feel lucky to have such beautiful weather today.

After lunch, we descend along scree slopes and grassy ridges and stop next to a hut to set up camp. Yvan, whom we had missed the previous day due to a communication breakdown, joins us that evening, and we all eat dinner together until the arrival of heavy clouds and wind drive us back to our tents.

🗓️ February 15, 2026

🏁 Kilometers : 2484

It's bitterly cold when I wake up this morning; the clouds are low, and it has snowed on the surrounding peaks. It's the first time I've ever started hiking wearing so many layers. It's 6:30 a.m., and I have to rely on my sense of direction to find each marker indicating the way. After half an hour walking along the same river and not finding the next marker, I continue downhill. Finding almost no more trail markers, I realize my mistake and understand that I should have climbed higher ground a long time ago. I have no choice but to retrace my steps or climb a long, steep slope; I choose the latter. A few thorny bushes make my way difficult, and the steepness of the slope makes my legs feel like lead.

Nevertheless, I eventually reach the trail and continue following the path, still in the biting cold. To the left, the hills remain shrouded in fog under a low cloud cover. Ahead, gentle hill shoulders rise in succession, their slopes covered in yellowing grass, and to the right, Lake Tekapo draws closer. Turquoise when the weather is fine, this morning it's a milky blue due to the overcast sky.

After 18 kilometers on trail, I reach a gravel road and walk about 15 kilometers to reach the town of the same name as the lake, Tekapo, arriving around 2 p.m. The number of Chinese tourists is incredible! My rugged, salty-weather hiker style stands out among all these Asians dressed as if they were going to the Cannes Film Festival of Tekapo.

I pitch my tent and spend the afternoon resting. I'm going to bed early; I plan to wake up very early tomorrow because I want to cover 55 kilometers.