The trail became almost impassable. Rain that froze to everything and coated branches, leaves, hiking poles, hats with a thick coating of ice.
We were camped in the morning trying to wait it out but then branches started to fall and we had to break camp quickly and get to the nearest shelter which was about 3 miles away. (They have very heavy timber roofs) the first shelter was standing room only so we pushed on to the next about 6 miles further. We were able to get in there and slept like sardines in a very overcrowded shelter but at least we were safe. Branches and whole trees were falling making tremendous cracking noises all night. The 6 miles was very long as the trail became blocked by fallen branches and trees as well as the ice laden branches weighed to the ground everywhere. We only made about 9 miles that day but earned every inch. Watching huge trees fall as we walked was amazing.
We got soaked pushing through all the wet ice covered branches so we are in a hostel tonight with laundry, washing clothes and drying out.
Beautiful weather predicted for the next few days in the 70s. Weird weather here.
A large fungus (almost a foot across) covered in icicles
My walking sticks in the path blocked by fallen tree and Matthew going off-piste trying to find a way around it.
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