Way behind on the blog so trying to get caught up while in saint arnaud on the south island. The 3 days on the river were amazing. Quite a beautiful place and a number of rapids as well. Great that Sarah will be able to join me for the next part.
In Taumarunui. The te araroa track kind of falls apart here. After discussion with the outdoor store people and info centre I have opted for the river option, skipping the tangariro crossing (which I have done before) and a lot of east-west traversing. Instead I’ll be floating downstream for 5 days and then another 3 with Sarah to Whanganui. Will be out of touch until I’m off the water. Travel companions for this leg include 4 americans who are working in Antarctica, a few Germans and 3 English. Looks like fun!
Finished up the Hauhungaroa track and thought I’d make it to town. But 3 hours of road walking and zero cars meant another fence hop and camping with the sheep. Camera seems to have died so looks like iPhone will have to do double duty for a while.
Stopped in the DOC office and had a cup of tea with the workers there. Good that I did as it turned out both the map and description were wrong for the toi toi track. Managed to do doc’s signposted 12 hours in only 6, including the climb up from base. My first night in a hut, though I was the only one there, nice to be dry and cozy.
Finding that the descriptions and maps aren’t all that trustworthy as my 38k of roadwalk has a description of nonexistnant roads and trails. Muddled thru with yet another night of stealth camping. I’m an expert now in hopping electrical and barbed wire fences. Always checking that there are no bulls in the field first! A bit crazy all this roadwalking, though this was a nice road bit as they go.
Took it a bit easy today as I wandered down track and camped at a reserve below te kuiti. Resupplied in town so pack is heavy again.
Check out where Roland wrote this.