Iain's Great Adventure - Te Araroa

Garmin Connect As I got up and active this morning the were moments of blue skys peeping through the gray cloud which topped the hills around the hut. However as I left Top Wairoa Hut I became nervous for what lay ahead. The clouds were forming and no longer allowing any blue through. As I walked up the hill from the hut I considered returning to see what the weather would do, but instead stopped to put and extra layer beneath my rain coat and my water proof trousers on. I continued up into the clouds, which seemed to rise as I did. After about an hour the sun began showing signs of peeing through. Which gave me confidence to continue. Further up the cloud dominated the landscape providing little visibility, making it more difficult to make out the orange poles or man made cairns. I pressed on and found my way to Mt Ellis, stopping briefly for phone service and some messages. On the way down the cloud cleared and I enjoyed the walk down the valley to the river beneath Hunter Hut.

Garmin Connect Garmin Connect Walked to mid wairoa hut with Brent and Clare...it was wet through the forest and a bit technical with wet roots and rocks. Made it it good time closely followed by pipa and Jane Sticking with my plan to make St Arnaud for 31st I pressed onto top wairoa hut. It was still wet and definitely challenging route. A few tricky rock traverses and later some river crossings which I handled well. Course definitely helped to pick the right position to cross and use my poles to secure my footings. Arrived at the hut and all alone for the night. Was cold and wet so got a fire going to warm up and dry clothes. Had with myself collecting fire wood and keeping the fire going. 7pm already and not yet eaten so should get that on before it gets any darker. Already dark in hut.

Garmin Connect Tarn hut short day, 6km relatively easy arrived for lunch and rested for the rest of the day. We all walked into the tarn to sock our legs and have a clean. Then spend the rest of the day sitting in the sun chatting. I wittled.  First samurai sword of the trip. Really happy with result.  Fun time.

Garmin Connect Garmin Connect Left slaty hut first, beautiful day. Climbed to the ridge and then slowed down for Brent and Clare following. View was spectacular and felt like I want to share with them. Glad I did. We had a great walk round the ridge towards old man hut.  When we got to the turn off Katy arrived too.. we stopped for some lunch and decision time. It was such a beautiful day we decided to press on for mt rintoul hut, another 5hrs...was going to be a long day. Up little rintoul, back down ~400m difficult rocky terrain, then up to big rintoul. It was a mission, but still not over. We still had to descend 490m to the hut. Loose scree then steep through trees. I thought my soles were detaching from my feet. Arrived at hut, pipa and Jane had come from old man hut.

Garmin Connect Garmin Connect Middy hut climb to rocks hut. Sat for a bit. Nearly feel asleep and got a bit of the shivers.. headed back out ..  Though it was just a decent to Browning's hut but ended up a bit undulating.  Browning's hut along for Xmas eve. A runner stopped by but just to say hi.

Garmin Connect Garmin Connect Garmin Connect Christmas day, woke with a mosquito buzzing in my ear. Killed it.. not a great start to Christmas day. Short walk to hacket hut. America. Girl there still not left..she planning to go to slaty hut. Another couple had left already. I reached starveall hut just after Brent and Clare, closely followed by Katie.  Then old couple from nelson appeared from nowhere.. apparently mountain biked then hiked up another track. We all had lunch then headed off to slaty. Big day for me but made slaty and was glad of the company. Brent and Clare from Christchurch, katy studying in wellington. Good fun and we all enjoyed Narelle's Christmas cake that I had been carrying from the start.

Garmin Connect Garmin Connect Garmin Connect Garmin Connect Heading out into the Richmond range today. Aiming to be at St Arnaud for new year. Don't expect much cell phone coverage through there. Emerald pools cold dip for aching hip..did the job.. Swing bridges a bit daunting. No photos, conserving power.. river was spectacular. Passed trail runner at captains creek hut then on his way back on my way to middy hut. Thought I was going to have a lonely night, then sisters Eve and Meg arrived to the hut. Living in nelson, from London. Lamb and veg for tea... Actually very good.

Heading out into the Richmond range today. Aiming to be at St Arnaud for new year. Don't expect much cell phone coverage through there.

Garmin Connect Short walk to the end of the QC. 76km done. Long hot walk to Havelock. Mostly road. Finished with a nice round the hill with Havelock popping into view. refreshing waterfall.. cool off and top up the hydration.. just in time.. motel tonight.. thought I needed a treat, shower and good rest before richmond range. Posted 5kg of non essential weight onto St Arnaud. Will decide when I get there what of it if any I actually need. One blister and sore hip. But other that that seem to be holding up ok. Looking forward to a lighter pack tomorrow, although I do have to add 8 days of food.

Garmin Connect Windy night.. but tent held up to Dave's bay camp. Started early.. off before the rest at camp. On my own at the clearing. Walked to shelter before realising I could camp by the waters edge.

Garmin Connect Hot day of ups and downs, vertically, not emotionally. Good group at camp, Mike and Melou, family and couple doing section hike. A bit exposed on the ridge and gusty throught the night, found a little spot in the trees. Tent held up well.

Garmin Connect Woke early from a vivid dream. I was in the cellar of Corrie Grove the house I grew up in..there was a wooden box full of rats...with scary white eyes and teeth. Then one jumped out the box at me and I woke. Perhaps I have been subconsciously worried about ship rats from captain cook's endeavor. So up and early breakfast and hit the trail just after 8am..good to try to beat the heat of the day. Another hot one ahead. The first 10km was nice and easy. Only about 10am so pressed on. Missed Marsden campsite. Not a good sign for things to come...so figured could make camp for lunch. The pack was definitely getting heavier after 4hrs of tramping. The last couple of kms was a struggle...but made it, setup then off to Cafe for a spot of lunch.. where i am writing this.  Suspect a sleep this afternoon then another early dinner, read a bit more of Outlander. Then off to sleep.

Garmin Connect Well the first day was certainly a success. Early start, early flight to Blenheim, Anna arrived in perfect time to collect me from airport and drive me to picton. A quick coffee before she left for return trip.  I wandered around picton town picking up some last item, including water, salami, cheese and scroggan. I neatly forgot the gas.  Visit doc office to pay for my campsites on queen Charlotte, then some lunch (2nd breakfast) before catching the boat.  Beautiful day out on the water, cruised up the sounds, past the salmon farm and into ship cove. Phil the skipper was very informative and must be a dad with those jokes. 6km to first night camp. Up and over the hill, about 200m climb. Pack felt heavy and heart rate was up over 170 at one point. I think it was more adrenaline from finally starting this adventure. Picturesque.campsite on the waters edge, with a couple of yachts sharing the bay. 2 couples and a family of 4 shared the camp... Family are head

A Christmas gift from the beautiful young adults I am so proud to have as my children. The pounamu (green stone) will help protect me on my journey ahead. Thank you both so much for being you. Will miss you lots.

The Awesome Team at Davanti Consulting has blown my target out of the water by genoursly donating over $4000 towards the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, resulting in over $7000 in donations. A final review of my pack weight has resulting in some items being discarded in an attempt to get under 20kg, but not by much. Still feels too heavy, although I do need to carry enough food sustain me on this journey. Feeling good about the first stage, the Queen Charlotte Track, I can review the pack content again over the first couple of weeks depending how the body copes.

Massive shout to everyone that is supporting me and mental health through donations.. just ticketed over $2000 which is awesome.  1 weeks to go.. by this time next Saturday I will be in tent for first night on trail.

I have realised it's going to be easier to reduce my weight, than the weight of my pack.. Lockdown has not been good to my tummy. Should be able shed 6kg off ME. That will make my knees happy. Happy Knees .. Yes Please!

Week out from departure and worrying about pack weight. 20+kg to carry.. what do I not need?

I am so very grateful for those that have sponsored me already by donating to the mental health foundation of New Zealand. It have reach $1000 and not even started walking yet.. I am counting down the days... 10 to go.

Obviously I need a spreadsheet to plan this journey. I have been working and re-working the plan for some time. Here is a summary of the current estimated daily distances and nightly camps. The hardest sections being the Richmond Apline Track and Waiau Pass Track which are both high and remote. Fortunately, if timing permits, I will be joined on the Waiau Pass with friends from St Arnaud. I will be thankful for the company a couple of weeks into the journey and following New Year. Km Total Location nights avg km/ day total acc days date start end dist Destination 5 0 Boat from Picton 1 1 2021-12-18 1714 1719 5 school house camp 61 61 Queen Charlotte Track 3 20.33 4 2021-12-19 1719 1741 22 camp bay (22km) 1741 1758 17 black rock (17km) 1758 1780 22 Davies bay (22km) 44 105 Anakiwa to pelorus bridge 2 22.00 6 2021-12-22 1780 1803 23 Havelock(23km) 1803 1824 21 pelorus bridge (21km) 27 132 Pelorus River Track 1 27.00 7 2021-12-24 1824 1851 27 middy creek hut (26km) 113 245 Richmond Alpine