Iain's Great Adventure - Te Araroa

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. ...

Garmin Connect What an epic day I had today. After a rest day at Arthur's pass staying at the sanctuary, I felt ready to tackle to run section of the coast to coast. Bill at The sanctuary provides a shuttle service so I was able to do this section with a day pack and I could pretend I was running the coast to coast. I tried to keep up with the runners training over the pass, but was hard in hiking boots.. but still managed to complete this section at pace without 20kg pack on my back. 6hr and 10mins I was happy with that. Could definitely knock off another hour with more appropriate gear... Coast to coast 2023 ? It was a beautiful day and felt good to be moving at pace. Or at least a little more than I have been.

Garmin Connect A fine night in kiwi hut, nearly full 6 bunk hut Great setting in the trees looking out over a grassy clearing. It was a lovely walk down the valley, followed the river and disregarded the trail, coming out at the highway.  Alison (73 years young) was doing the Harper pass section and her husband was there to collect her and us with a surprise beer. We stuffed into their campervan for the trip to Arthur's pass. Camping tonight at the sanctuary, as the coast-to-coasters have taken all the beds.  No worries, happy for another night under canvas, protected by the smallest electric fence to keep the Kea away from nibbling the tent. Just need to remember not to pee on it if I get up in the night.

Garmin Connect Garmin Connect Woke with a kiwi squawk which sounded like it was just outside my tent. Had a look but nothing to see here. Perhaps the kiwi was just saying good morning as it returned to it's den for the day. It was a wet morning so a bit slow in getting going. Lay in the tent a while listening to the rain and hoping perhaps it would clear as the sun lifted in the sky. Given the narrow valley it would be some time before the sun could make a difference, so might as well get on and pack up in the rain. Planned to get over harpers pass and breakfast at the Locke stream hut. it was a bit bleak on the pass. As I continued down from the pass, the route was wet, slippy and not particularly well formed. At one point a massive washout has destroyed the track and left a lot of debris is it's wake. Stopped at the hut for breakfast and re-grouped with Jane & Alison from the bivvy and Michael, who caught up from Boyle village. The...

Garmin Connect Nice relatively easy 21km today from huranui hut to hapers pass bivvy. Tiz a cute we thing to be sure. It has a bunk.. and that's about all. Camped near the bivvy, a bit too small, could say cozy, for me I think. But great setting by the stream in amongst the trees. A restfull afternoon chilling in the tent, keeping safe from the sandflies. I did have a near incident today. Leaving the haranui no. 3 hut after a short snack stop, there was a fallen tree, I grabbed a branch to climb up it, which snapped, sending me to the ground with a thud. I mostly landed on my pack, but winded myself a bit and hurt my ankle. Fortunately no real damage, but a good reminder to be careful, even on easier obstacles.

Garmin Connect Another long day 26km from kiwi halfway hut to hurinui hut, lots of forest and a little bit of lake summer. The hope kiwi hut I didn't make it to last night was very nice, but happy with my lonely night at halfway. Pasted some forest destruction.  Everyday needs a swing bridge.