Routeburn Day 3

Even though our sleeping bags were rated to -5C and we had sleeping bag liners that should add another 5 degrees, it was cold. The windows above the doors were left open and everyone in the room agreed that it had been a cold night the next morning. Oh well. Breakfast was once again, oatmeal, an orange and trail mix.

On the trail we passed the "orchard" which was a field filled with small fruit-like trees that aren't actually fruit trees. Then we came to Earland falls where we stopped to take a quick break and a few pictures.
We arrived at Howden hut around 1 and made lunch (pre-mixed tuna fish sandwiches). It was a fine day (in New Zealand the weather forecast usually includes the word "fine" quite a bit) so we headed up Key summit, which was an hour and a half return (roundtrip) to the hut.  The trail switchbacked right up to the top where there were amazing 360 degree views of the valley.  We followed the nature trail around the top with a laminated info sheet. When we were close to the end of the trail some menacing clouds rolled in, the wind started blowing and rain started to sprinkle on us.  Afraid of being caught on the top of a mountain in the storm we ran/power walked down the switchbacks as quickly as we could until we were in the shelter of the trees and then made our way back to the hut.

We hung out with the Canadian siblings who were the only people besides the Australians who we had met and were staying at Howden hut for the night.  Most people skip staying at Howden and walk straight on to the Divide.  The Australians were continuing onto another trail and had a long 7 hour hike the next day.  The Canadians were catching a 12pm shuttle bus to do a cruise at Milford Sound.  We were the only idiots who stayed but didn't need to be anywhere until 4:30pm the next day.
Dinner was two packets of vegetable soup and a packet of chicken soup.  The Canadians shared some of their Moroccan couscous with us and their peppermint chocolate bar.  We shared our hot chocolate with them.