Start: @ km 2476
End: @ km 2501
Hiked: 25 km

Leah woke up early this morning to find that there was a fourth roommate: a mouse. We had not mentally prepared for this. In huts, we expect it, lodges/hotels; not so much. Our room reservation didn’t only come with the surprise mouse but also had breakfast included. We were ready to fully take advantage; stock up before our hike. We ate too much, no surprise, and would regret it... a bit.

While at breakfast, the cutest man (from our table last night) offered us a ride to the trail-head. So sweet! Of course Leah and Kirby jumped right on that! We knew the day’s hike started with an 800 meter climb, but were pleasantly surprised by the fact that it wasn’t too intense. As we climbed, we passed by a super cute ‘drinking station’ that someone had set up: a sign, a pipe with fresh water running out, and a few mugs to drink from. I love cool humans!

The walk was once again so beautiful and we felt glad that we’d waited out the rain. On the path we saw French Ben and he confirmed that he too had been locked into Manuka Hut... with eight others and a dog. They, like Mathias, came to the conclusion to take the door off the hinges. Hehe.

While stepping over a stream, Leah lost her balance (due to a Spaniard that attacked her leg (the plant - not the European)) and fell backwards. This could have been so bad as the stream was filled with ankle-breaking rocks. She was so lucky that somehow when she fell she landed safely-ish. She was a bit shaky for a few minutes, as was Mathias who heard the fall and quickly came to help, falling himself on the way to the rescue. But we were both okay so on we went.

The weather continued to treat us well and we enjoyed the next hours on the trail. We stopped to have a lunch break just before the trail turned into swampland. While lunching, Kirby showed up.

The three of us chose (more or less) to embrace the swampiness ahead. It actually wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Plus, we knew we would be fording the river soon so it didn’t really matter if our feet (and legs) were wet and muddy.

Soon after passing the 2500 mark it became time to cross the river. We had read up on the crossing and heard from Sarah and Julia that we should walk a bit downstream to the second island. We were to cross at that island, then walk upstream to the first island, then walk up a bit more and cross over to the main land. We looked for what would be the best crossing and Kirby went right in. We followed. The crossing was much better than all of us had envisioned. The water only came up to our knees, or a little above, and the current wasn’t too strong. The rocks below our feet were quite slippery, but we took our time and made it safely across. Wooo wooo!

We had originally thought we would head to the car park which was about 3 km ahead, but when we climbed up the first hill after the river there was tons of flat-ish land just asking to be camped on, so we pitched our tents.

Did Leah and Mathias get into a crabby little fight about where to place the tent? Yes. Did Kirby have to listen to it? She sure did. Did we get eventually get over it? You bet ya!

The temperature dropped quite quickly, so after dinner, and some stretching for Leah and Kirby (Mathias was still crabby at this point) it was time to get into our tents and sleeping bags and get some sleep.

A long weekend getaway - with perfect weather.

Te Araroa - days 198-206

June 3rd, 2020

Te Araroa - days 114 - 123

Te Araroa - days 103 to 105

Te Araroa - days 99 to 102

June 3^rd, 2020