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.

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.

What started out as a wet day went downhill in the afternoon. Yet again a case of non existant trail that left me stream bashing and pushing my way through heavy brush. Finally made it out to a real track (not te araroa) and down to waitomo many hours later than planned. A night at a backpackers and clean and dry to face a rainy day.

See where Roland was on the map when he wrote this.

For those not in New Zealand – Waitomo is famous for its caves, glowworms and blackwater rafting.

Finally real mountain track, tough, muddy, but clear of brush. Amazing boardwalk section as well. Views from the top of my piongia of about 2 metres in the clouds. Met a group of hikers at the hut who all seemed fascinated by my gear. I’ll have to do a write up soon about what I am using.

See where Roland was on the map when he wrote this.