I have done that track three times – all the way to the 1st hut 17klms. Think you are a bit silly hiking in NZ with out any research. People have almost died on that trail, the weather comes in and even in fog or low cloud you can lose your bearings. If you had of researched it – carried a day pack and hiked to the hut you probably would of had it to yourselves and had a romantic evening by the river in wilderness. You missed out.