Misc 24:00:00 [3]
We stopped for 2.5hrs sleep at Freeman Burn hut. On reflection we probably should have just gambled and had less. But we really hadnt slept properly since the last darkzone and felt we had to. The hut was warm and the sleep glorious. We heard Yealands arrive and leave after about 60min of sleep and probably could have got up then and gone...maybe.... Hard to know, maybe we would have fallen to pieces.
Anyway got into the last trek which was pretty hard going a good proper trek with no track again. Awesome. Slow slow travel into the bush and very tiring mentally for the leader and physically for everyone. I had pretty sore feet, a few blisters and very sore tendon in front of ankles.
Made it through the whole trek ok although I don't think we ever picked super awesome ways through the bush on this one. Maybe there werent any. We found out at Lake Herries that Yealands were about 90min in front of us which was less than I thought (negative state of mind) but still pretty much uncatchable.
I felt pretty rubbish on the down hill with my ankles and hand hurting lots. I was feeling like I was slowing us down a bit and we made it out to the lake about 2hrs behind Yealands.
The kayak to the finish was good. I tried hard to be happy and chatty and keep everyone awake which worked well, and we paddled strongly. We finished 2nd, 2 and a bit hrs down and 8hrs in front of Tiki Tour.