Routeburn track day walk. The Divide to Key summit and back via Howden hut.

8am and 7C freezing! 75mins. Drive to the Divide and start the other end of the Routeburn for a day walk. Although the sun shone we wrapped up for the start until the gradient made us warm. 75mins to Key Summit with glorious views over snow capped peaks. Just a few had made the top this early we assumed. Back down the track and back on the Routeburn for a walk down to Howden hut and lake for lunch. Met Uri who was on his last leg of the full walk, it's the third time we have bumped into him! After a big up and back down to the Hetti we felt sorry for a young couple who finished their full walk and needed a lift back to Te Anau.With all our gear, rubbish, 2 large rucksack , 2 daysacks and 4 peeps , Hetti earned her keep today!