Staircase Hut

17 November

The forecast was for drizzle, clearing as the day progressed and turning to custard towards the evening. Not great but you take what you get with weather. Five of us set off from near the top of Mt Misery Rd. Through the wind damaged manuka at the top where you stooped low to avoid getting the accumulated wet off the tops. Down the slippery track to the river, too slippery for some to maintain traction. Up the river to the turnoff, the rocks also very slippery, bush nettle in great abundance ready to sting the passers by. Up the very slippery slope to the ridge, two pulled out here, confidence gone and not wanting to hold up those keen to get to the hut. Lucky there are 2 vehicles so getting home is not impossible. Three left to carry on, the drizzle turned to rain and adds to the difficulty. Quick stop for lunch short of the hut by about an hour. Finally there about 1.30  in time for lunch 2, the are leading down to the hut and the surrounding area is devastated , kanuka and broadleaf snapped off and laid out higgelty piggelty like pick up sticks in a tangle. The round trip to Tabletop would be impossible without a good chainsaw in hand. The rain still persisting as we go back the way we came. Faster travel on the return until we get back to the very slippery slope, this takes a while to get back down without losing your footing. Down the river where the intrepid leader checks the water temperature facedown, damn those rocks are slippery. Up the track, wet through by now and back to the car and home for a hot shower. Thanks for coming you 4, sorry about the weather.