Iain's Great Adventure - Te Araroa

Garmin Connect When i started pitching my tent one of the guys from the group next door mentioned they were a bit loud at night.. I figures after rhe snoring the night before, how bad could it be. Turned out they were loud, playing music and signing along. Which i loved, and such a great playlist, could have been from my own spotify.  Seems its been too long since I listened to music. I lay in my tent singing and tapping along to myself until past midnight when they finally called it. Despite that and waking early freezing in my tent, I really enjoyed the walk from Lake Mavora following the Mavaroa river between swing bridges. Garmin Connect Including a visit from a very friendly Robin. I exited at the swing bridge to follow the road, heard the track from there was overgrown and was keen to try to get to Te Anau. Walked another 10+km on road before finally getting hitch rhe highway, then another hitch very quickly onto Te Anau.

Garmin Connect Left the greenstone hut to continue up the valley, following the river. Another fine morning destined to be another hot day on the trail. Certainly not complaining, been so lucky and now mostly comfortable with the hot temperature.  The first part of the day to Tiapo Hut was easy enough, stopped for a snack before continuing on. The 2nd half started to feel like a long day, and i guess it was, 24km, with new boots and a heavy pack full of food for the days ahead. I was certainly struggling, seems to have lost my mojo back in Queentown. I felt clumsy, couldn't find my rhythm and kept losing the path. Felt slow and painful. Finally made it to the hut before i lost it completely. Holly was chilling, preparing to push on to the next hut. There was no way i was up for that. definitely done for the day. Dr Michael was also in the house, NOBO (partly) having just finished PHD in Hong Kong. Emily arrived after a while, she was just walking around

Garmin Connect Leaving Queenstown was hard after a few days of luxury. Late start with shuttle to the Greenstone trail head. The greenstone track to the hut of the same name was a very enjoyable walk and not too taxing after probably too many days rest.  The greenstone river is so named due to the green colours stone which is found in this valley. It is not a soure of pounamu, which is only found on the west coat. Similar to the heart shaped stone i found for narelle, it's Green, but not pounamu. The hut was very nice, large and even included flushing toilet. Also, as i have come to expect, a beautiful setting, looking back down the valley.