Iain's Great Adventure - Te Araroa

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

Garmin Connect Early start this morning to get from Hamilton Hut to Harper campsite, also known as trustpower camp. Being picked up by Wayne to bypass the Rakaia river which cannot be crossed. Nice 20km walk following the Harper river, lost the track few times and a lot of river crossing so more wet feet. They seem to be well used to it now. Made good time, arrived about midday to find Jane also waiting. Beautiful scenery in the road trip round. Pitty there is no track that can be followed past Lake Coleridge. It would have been a long hot road section. Garmin Connect From drop off another 10km up over a saddle and down to hut. It was very hot and ascended more the 700m in 6km to reach the top of the saddle. Great view looking back to the Rakaia river valley. The scenery has certainly changed from beech forest to tussock. I do love this scenery. So epic and hard to capture in a photo. Reached the hut very tired late i

Garmin Connect Off again after another rest day at Bealey hotel. Very relaxing day, finished reading outlander (book 1) between naps. Even binge watched a few episodes last night. Had a lovely double lamb shank and couple of glasses of wine. Purely to support the local business of course. It was very quiet, with mostly coast to coasters out for a weekend of training, but still not enough to make it feel busy. I was the only one staying in the Moa Lodge accommodation. Surprising for a Saturday night. Today was a good walk, 25km into the Hamilton Hut. Which is certainly one of the larger huts on the TA. Once again some epic scenery.. from the sunrise as I left. To the top of the hill looking north. And west. Passed what might be the oldest hut on the TA. The tin roof was made in Gt Britain - Newport. I worked there for a bit back in early 1990s. The Hamilton Hut is a bit more spectacular. With 3 story bunks and a massive fire place.