Day 3: (Monday 2nd March 2009) While not yet fine, it wasn't raining much on our departure from Herepai on our second attempt to get to Roaring Stag and then continue on to Cow Creek Hut.

The view down the Ruapai River revealed a much lower river so we were confident our third visit to the "crossroads" would be our last! All eyes were looking for my lost glasses, but I suspect they fell when I slipped in a side stream, so they are probably well down the Ruamanga, if not in Palliser Bay by now! However, I did find the John's Ginger wine (not a lot left though).

At Roaring Stag Lodge, it became clear that some did not feel capable of continuing as we were facing a strenous scramble down the river. Another vote was taken and we decided to stay at Roaring Stag and "reconnoitre" downstream, looking for an elusive route marked on some maps. The decision was welcomed as the hut is very nice and well positioned.

Dianella intermedia is the New Zealand Blueberry (Blueberry Lilly) or Turutu, with mildly poisonous berries (implicated in the death of an infant in the late 1800s). There was no obvious route on the "True left", so we continued to look further downstream. Further exploration was more for photographic subjects.

Uncinia uncinata, the New Zealand hook grass (Kamu) is actually a sedge, but most trampers find it a bloody nuisance! It is hard to resist pulling the seed off one's hairs and spreading the damn thing further along the track! I try to throw them away from the track or into a stream, but I guess that doesn't stop them spreading.

And the dinner? Soup entrée (?Tomato) with the main of home dried Chili beans (2x425g) and Back Country Beef Mince 160g x 2, Nutrela (Indian TVP), seasoning, home dried dried vegetables all served in tortillas, followed by Chocholate custard over a dried NZ fruit selection.