Where are you now?

At another DOC site, but this time not on a track, just outside Mt Cook Village. At this very moment, I am sitting, completely alone, feet soaked wet and cold, eating an apple and also crunchy peanut butter on a slice of homemade bread from a dutch bakery, in the shelter, while the rain and the wind charge like mad at every tent and camper van outside. The snow line is uncomfortably close and the chill in the air just seems to get stronger and stronger.

Last night was the strongest storm my little two person, orange, REI home, has weathered, ever. Winds blowing so strong the tent pole often bent inward and knocked my head. "Shit," I grunted repeatedly throughout the night, while not so much sleeping as simply maintaining body warmth and staring up at the roof.

Around 3am my travel buddy and I ran out in the mess, after putting on all our waterproof stuff and removing our socks (to keep those dry), to get water. Dehydration had set in quite strongly after our fanciest camping meal ever - Gibston Valley Savignon Blanc with smoked salmon, our dutch bread, and two types of local Whitestone Cheese. For dessert we enjoyed Tar Pot Mary black porter brew aged in whiskey barrels (10% alcohol) along with Cadbury milk chocolate with caramel and dark chocolate with almonds. With the help of our three DOC Hut Warden friends, we polished off every last bit, except for 4 sices of bread.

What's shocking about our experience in Mt Cook so far is that I actually did sleep. Pretty damn heavily too! My biggest problem was not the cold, or the wind, or the tent pole smacking my head, sleeping on a pad or the puddles outside my door. Nor was it needing to pee in the middle of the night. No no. Easy stuff. I've done it so many times now, it barely phases me, which is fantastic. Four months ago when I went on my first backpacking trip in 10 years, rain was horrifying and stressful and miserable. Now, it makes me proud to see how my tent hold up in a storm, and I enjoy the chat over the morning instant coffee checking in on how everyone slept and stayed dry. Good times. Great stuff.

Mother nature did take hold of my heavenly female body and bring about some challenges I had yet to truly deal with in the outdoors. But I persevered, did what was needed, and remained calm and appreciative that things could have been even worse. Thank goodness we were not in the middle of a track! Another crisis averted successfully. Self high five!

The rain has not let up, for maybe 20 hours now. First time this has happened in new Zealand for us really. It always stops! We always get a break and some beautiful sunshine and mind blowing views. Not sure that will happen today. We'll see what the day brings and what unexpected and amazing experiences we have today. One more day hike together would be fantastic.

One thing I have noticed today - feeling a bit homesick. Would be lovely to get some hugs, see some smiles and hear some laughs from familiar faces. Would also love to show my family my photos and tell them all my stories! Sad part is I have no idea when I'll be able to do that since I won't be how for a long time. Fortunately, I get to see one of my best friends from college in less than a week! And in New Zealand of all places! And then I get to see another great friend two weeks later (his sister) and do a road trip with them for a few days! I sincerely look forward to crossing paths again with my new mates and making more, but sometimes you just can't beat an old favorite.

Onward...