Iain's Great Adventure - Te Araroa

Garmin Connect Garmin Connect Stodys hut to lake hawea could be my best day on the Te Araroa. What an epic route, left the hut and started with a climb to waken up the legs, then a bit of undulation with the route to Breast Hill clearly visible. A bit of a climb to the top of Breast Hill, which was more than worth it, as others had already told me. The township, Lake and the Alps were worth the 800km walk. The walk, or more like climb down was special, a technical track, steep, fun but also hard going. At the bottom had a lovely swim in the lake, avacado lunch, before a 7km lake side track to the camp site. Loved every part of today, except arriving at camp to find my credit card had been blocked and an unknown charge of $2800. Fortunately bank sorting out, but might have to make do with cash for the remainder of the trip. Then to top off an already great day, turned out Dale and Kirsten were in Albert town, so Dale popp...

Garmin Connect Recovered well after long day on the bike. Bum not as sore as I thought it would be after 100km on saddle. Slow start to the day waiting for my pack to arrive from Twizel..a lovely breakfast at the lodge before 10am when the bus arrived right on time, I sorted out a few things then back on the trail. After leaving the Alps to Ocean track from the lodge I was back on the Te Araroa trail and climbing through a lovely forest up and over another saddle. Offering a great view back to Ben Ohau and the lake. A long day finishing at the Ahuriri river with a great camp spot beside the river. Another great day on the trail.

Garmin Connect 14km planned for today to get to Stody's hut. I was thinking this as a bit of a rest day after a couple of bigger days. Nice to be back in the forest following the river. Nice water fall on the way. And a section walking in the river which was very refreshing as the temperature started to rise. Only 3km to go as I left the river, people had mentioned it was a bit steep up the the hut. No kidding.. A 1.5hr slog up nearly 500m.  Was very glad to make it to the hut after another 6.5hr day, not short it I thought. Still early afternoon so time for lunch and recovery.  Even managed to do a bit of whittling.

Garmin Connect Woke the morning about 5am, had crashed out reading my book and left the tent door open. It was freezing. That will teach me. Soon snuggled up and feel back to sleep until 7:30am. A late start, but needed a bit extra after a big couple of days. Packed up, some breakfast and off again, a few minutes behind Jane and Pipa who had arrived yesterday evening and camped next door. Followed farm tracks through paddocks for a while, then down by the river. Cattle had obviously been through recently, but didn't come across any. Joined up with 4WD track to head up to the Tin Hut. Not the destiantion for today, would continue on up and over another saddle to reach the Top Timara Hut. I put on David Attenborough's A life on our planet audiobook, which I had downloaded a few days ago. I believe everyone should read or listen to this book. I grew up watching DA on tv and always loved hearing his voice over some of the best TV ever made. A...

Garmin Connect Today was a bit different, having heard about people cycling the Alps to Ocean section, rather than walking from Tekapo, I thought that sounded like an excellent option. The routes are similar and follow the canals through to lake ohau, the idea of walking those flat sections in the current heat did feel a bit of a stretch. Picked up my bike at 10am just outside Tekapo all ready for a day on 2 wheels. Long stretches of road and another hot day. Still some amazing scenery. I loved being on the bike clocking up the Kms..stopped along the way for some Aoraki smokes salmon. Then onto Twizel for some supplies. I managed to get lost trying to get out of Twizel and back on the trail. Got there in the end. Afternoon was a bit harder with a head wind determined to slow me down. More canals then a beauty path round lake ohau and onto the lodge for the night. Arrived at lodge and ran into pipa and Jane who I had been w...

Garmin Connect An early start as we had a long day ahead, wanting to get to Tekapo before the shops shut. Alex was up at 5am, but it was still dark and no way I was going to try to navigate the river and speargrass in the dark. It was wait until sunrise. Shortly after 6am I headed off. Alex and Jane had left earlier.  I caught up with them and pressed on, I was feeling good and keen to make progress, push myself a bit with a good pace. Michael continued on with me and kept a few metres behind me all the way to the road, 20km.  We didn't stop much and kept a good pace all the way. I was still feeling strong, but with 12km on road still to go I knew it was going to be a long slog to Tekapo. Then a car appeared behind us, racing up the gravel road like a rally driver. He came skidding to a halt next to us and Alex and Jane appeared smiling out of the windows. We jumped in very thankful for the ride. 5km knocked off in no time, just a few Km...

Garmin Connect Garmin Connect Left crooked spur hut in cloud, was a up hill climb to the saddle without much to see. Did spot a falcon, although general conscience was it may have just been a hawk. I guess I should know, do I say it was a falcon. managed to get reasonably close before it swooped away for a bit to eat. The rest of the climb looked a bit like this. As we progressed over the top a d down the other side, the sun did start making an appearance as we knew it would. Before long the sky was blue as far as we could see. Another hot afternoon with a lovely walk down the valley to the next stop for the night. Royal hut, apparently visited by some royalty, can't remember which ones. Certainly fit for royalty with 8 beds and lovely dining table and a beautiful setting. As I took my boots off my sore and tired feet I noticed a couple of holes which shouldn't be there. Oh no, my seems were beginning to give. A ...

Garmin Connect Had a nice long lie this morning, figured we'd leave it a bit before leaving, give the cloud some time to clear. Timed it perfectly, the clouds cleared as we topped the stag saddle, the highest point on the TA Another celebratory whisky was in order with Jane and Alex. All downhill from here all the way to lake Tekapo. Out next home for the night was camp stream hut, which must be one of the oldest remaining huts. 1898. It was very small and in the need of a little care and attention, so we all decided to camp outside. It was a lovely afternoon and a great spot to lazy around in the sunshine and chill. As we did a couple of horses appeared, with riders of course. The a NOBO and finally Dan and Lisa who had done a long day from crooked spur hut. It was a busy little camp.

Garmin Connect A night in Geraldine avoiding the rangitata river hazard which cannot be safely crossed. Great burger at the running duck cafe, followed by scrambled eggs, bacon and toast this morning and a couple of lattes to get me ready for today's adventure. Bush stream track, only around 9kms but a bit of vertical climb, how hard could it be. This was the day I would have not one, but two near incidents. I was walking with Jane and Alex, we followed the river, as it meandered between the steep slopes on either side. I lost count of the number of river crossings we did, but they were becoming increasingly challenging as they day went on. Not just the flow of the river, but also the slippy rocks underfoot and the difficulty in finding a good foot placement. The river crossing course was proving worthwhile. We become more careful picking spots to cross. Incident number one. I very nearly ended up floating (hopefully) down the river. I was trying to l...

Last night was wet and windy at the Berry Hut at Lake Clearwater. I arrived just before the weather turned. It was great to have a hot shower and I slept so well listening to the rain outside while warm and snug inside. I woke this morning to the return of the sun, although there was a dusting of snow on top of Mt Guy (1319m) I have been walking higher than that, even in the middle of summer temperature drops and snow falls. Glad I was not still in one of the high altitude huts last night.

Garmin Connect Left double hut and the duke of Ed group still asleep in their tents. Lovely morning, overcast and sun occasionally peeping through, helping keeping the temperature down. Followed 4WD track most of the way until reaching 'paper road'. Now I don't know what the difference is between a 'metal road' and a 'paper road'. Both seem odd names for a road made of stones. Anyway eventually made it to some real road, sealed with proper tar, and a concrete bridge over a river. Then back into track to Lake Clearwater, around the back of Mt Guy. Nice walk, reasonably flat, and well defined track, mix of single and 4WD. As I passed Mt Guy and headed round the corner towards Lake Clearwater village my feat were really beginning to hurt.  View of the village was a relief, although still 5km to go round the lake. Made it to the Berry Hut in Clearwater, my supply box ready and waiting as well as a hot shower, o...

Garmin Connect A very hot day. Started early as I knew it was going to be a long walk today. First part was lovery, gently undulating along the valley. some nice rock features along the way A right turn and followed the Round Hill Creek, walking mostly in the river. Another day of wet feet :) The water was clear and running low so easy enough for crossing or just walking in the river. As the sun appeared above the mountains surrounding the creek the temperature rose, then I left the river as I climbed the saddle. it was a slog to the top and a long way back down the other side, sidling the scree. If you look closely to the right of the sun line you can see the path through the scree. Lower in the decent I came across a mine field of speargrass. These are nasty, appropriately named. They do just spear your legs. Why something evolved to be so defensive I have no idea. It clearly does not want to be eaten. So wh...