Thursday 24th March - While it looked like the day was going to hold off raining to begin with this morning, it soon became a very wet walking day to start with. Quite a challenging day initially through more marshland and then onto rolling beech forest that seemed to have endless climbs up and down to streams. Got to the Lower Wairaki Hut where three of the other walkers decided to stay for the night and dry off. I decided to push on to the Telford Campsite so as to catch the same accomodation pick up Erin had arranged for the next day. I had left a message with the lodge to see if I could tag along too for the Friday night.
So pleased I decided to carry on walking as the rain lifted and was dry for the rest of the late afternoon and early evening. Was a full on climb up to the Takitimu ridgeline, but what a fantastic view from up there. The mist was low but not a breath of wind and no rain. Absolute magic early evening and was one of my favorite sections on the trail up there. Lovely to be on dry rock again too. Climbing down needed some care and quite a descent down to the open grassed camping area where I could see Erin from a long distance away putting up her tent. Finally got there too and was wrapt with the second half of the day. Very pleased to get the tent up before dark too and have dinner. Great to finish the day on a high.
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Wednesday 23rd March - Everyone up for breakfast today and then off to the next hut. The day was cooler and more overcast than yesterday but good walking weather in the morning. Started out with a gradual climb up through a beech forest to a saddle and then the beginning of a slippery muddy stretch before getting out to tussock.
After lunch the rain started to close in and so was a soggy afternoon trying not to lose a leg down the many running stream holes in between the tussock. Made for a tiring afternoon and was fantastic to finally see the Aparima hut. Another new couple from the UK had already arrived at the hut from the other road entrance after fly fishing and they were very intrigued with the gradual arrival of those of us on the Te Araroa trail. The fire was soon lit so we could all dry off and wasn't long before the hut was very toasty warm and able to dry our walking clothes off too. Another interesting night exchanging stories then an early night. Tuesday 22nd March - Am now officially in Southland and can't get over how warm it is. Wonder how long this will hold for. Checking my food out I can see that I won't need to go off the trail into Te Anau to resupply as originally planned so decided to go straight into the Takitimu track. The day started with gravel road walking for the first stretch and along the way met a woman who is cycling the South Island. She gave me some of her home made muslie bars and an apple - yum some fresh fruit. The gravel road turned into the highway for a few kms, then it was up a farm road to Lower Princester Hut. What a fantastic spot and hut. Had a wash in the stream and also washed out my walking clothes and got them into the sun. Erin one of the walkers I had met earlier up the trail also arrived so was great to hear about her travels and additional sightseeing. Another group of three arrived later on bringing greetings from Mark, a cyclist I had met on the Whanganui River walk to the Bridge to Nowhere. Shame to have missed each other by days around the Greenstone track area. All good company in the hut this evening and nice to have a comfy mattress. Tuesday 22nd March - Am now officially in Southland and can't get over how warm it is. Wonder how long this will hold for.
Checking my food out I can see that I won't need to go off the trail into Te Anau to resupply as originally planned so decided to go straight into the Takitimu track. The day started with gravel road walking for the first stretch and along the way met a woman who is cycling the South Island. She gave me some of her home made muslie bars and an apple - yum some fresh fruit. The gravel road turned into the highway for a few kms, then it was up a farm road to Lower Princester Hut. What a fantastic spot and hut. Had a wash in the stream and also washed out my walking clothes and got them into the sun. Erin one of the walkers I had met earlier up the trail also arrived so was great to hear about her travels and additional sightseeing. Another group of three arrived later on bringing greetings from Mark, a cyclist I had met on the Whanganui River walk to the Bridge to Nowhere. Shame to have missed each other by days around the Greenstone track area. All good company in the hut this evening and nice to have a comfy mattress. Monday 21st March - Packed up and continued down the Mararoa River. Not such a lovely walk today as was a battle against tall grass, tussock and prickly bushes. At one stage the tussock was taller than me. Was hard not to look enviously at the lovely low grass in the paddocks on the other side of the tall fencing. Also some of the walkway has had a bit of erosion which made for a day of needing to concentate on foot placings. Had a break at one point and noticed my sleeping mat had been pulled off the back of my pack and I hadn't noticed - bugger.
Got to the end of the track before the rise to the road and camped down for the night. Very tired so didn't miss the sleeping mat too much. Sunday 20th March - So pleased I stayed in the hut last night. Woke up to a great day and lovely walking through to the end of the track around the Lake and onto the start of the Mararoa River track. Lots of big red toadstools on the way which were pretty. Walked on around the southern section of the Mavora lakes then onto a forest section that is a great track amd decided to take the last swingbridge out to the carpark area instead of going onto the next hut as the river looked to be a bit high for crossing where I was. On the otherside of the swing bridge there was a toilet and grass to camp down so stayed in my tent for the night there. Sunday 20th March - So pleased I stayed in the hut last night. Woke up to a great day and lovely walking through to the end of the track around the Lake and onto the start of the Mararoa River track.
Lots of big red toadstools on the way which were pretty. Walked on around the southern section of the Mavora lakes then onto a forest section that is a great track amd decided to take the last swingbridge out to the carpark area instead of going onto the next hut as the river looked to be a bit high for crossing where I was. On the otherside of the swing bridge there was a toilet and grass to camp down so stayed in my tent for the night there. Saturday 19th March - Took it easy this morning as was only a planned four hour walk through to the carpark. It poured down with rain in the night and still a wee bit showery in the morning so stayed in the hut till after lunch and moved on.
Popped into Careys Hut after an hour and a bit of walking to say hi again to the others who were planned to there for the night. When I started making moves to head off the weather closed in again so was an excellent excuse to stay on too. Only an hour and a bit of walking today in the end and was nice to take an easy day at the Careys Hut which is in a gorgeous spot by the lake. Friday 18th March - Gradually got packed up and had breakfast in Greenstone hut once all the crowd had moved on. Started back on the track which takes you through the Mavora Walkway heading to the Mavora Lakes. After leaving the forest it was back into boggy tussock land and a bit hard going in some patches.
Got to the first hut - for a break mid afternoon and decided to carry on for the next hut as weather was expected to change in the next day. Got to Boundary Hut to find Sandy and Marlese there too, plus their friend Sarah who had walked in from the other end of the track. Great to catch up again. Later in the evening a young German guy came in just as it was getting dark. He was very excited to be staying in his first NZ hut ever and tramping. Great to see the enthusiasm. Thursday 17th March - Happy St Patrick's Day! Early start this morning to get the plane back to Queenstown via Auckland.
After landing I picked up my gear from the airport locker and met the guy who was taking me through to the start of the next trail section. Was a beautiful drive around the lake to Greenstone. Stopped for a photo. Wonderful part of the world here. Great weather and a lovely walk up to the Greenstone hut this afternoon. Got to a very full hut overflowing with people. A big group of friends there for the night after walking the Routeburn track and also a school group who were camping outside plus other walkers. I went to pitch my tent behind the hut and found two other walkers who I had previously met in the Richond range there too - Sandy and Marlese. Nice surprise and catch up before crawling into my tent for the night. Tuesday 15th March - Travel day to Whakatane and time out with family.
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