Saturday 11.02.2023

• Te Araroa kilometres done: 1871km
• Official kms: 17.5 + 5.7km
• Garmin kms: 24.35km
• Total time: 9:45
• Calories burned: 3760
• Body battery: 8/10
• Accommodation: Aunty Briars place
• Tent nights tally: 14
• Zero days had so far: 15

https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/walking-te-araroa-3000km-for-the-key-to-life

Track me live here:

https://aus-share.explore.garmin.com/curtiss

This morning I had my alarm set for 5:30am so I could get an early start as the first part of today is over 800 metres of elevation gain! I pushed snooze twice. Even though I fell asleep before 8:30pm last night, I felt I could sleep longer.

I got out of bed at 5:50am & went about my morning routine & was locked & loaded & out the door by 7:15am. After sweeping the hut out & wiping benches down of course.

After crossing the bridge the climb started instantly! Surprisingly it didn’t feel as hard as it did last time I did this section (2 years ago).

The time on the DOC sign said 5kms & 3 hours to Rocks hut. It took me 2 hours & 10 minutes! I was stoked with the timing as I seem to be doing them all in 2/3rds the time stated.

I stopped at Rocks hut for a good 20 minute break, ate an early morning tea, filled in the intentions booked & looked at the names who have been before me, some are people I have met along the way.

I set off again to finish the 200 metres of ascent needed to complete todays big climb. Knowing from last time that I needed to go through the fallen forest. This had been knocked over in a storm some years back.

It wasn’t long after this that I had gained the high point & started the descent which took you out into a clearing where there was some amazing views & also cellphone reception so I called Aunty Briar to let her know a rough ETA & see if it was ok for Sam to hitch a ride with us back into town. I also called Antonia for a quick catch-up before setting off into the trees again.

It only took another 1.5 hours from here totalling 4 hours to reach Brownings hut where I arrived just after 2pm for a late lunch break of over 30 minutes, eating, filling in the intentions book & reading my Maps app comments on the next few kilometres.

I took off again at 2:45, I had told Aunty B that I would be out before 5pm. The sign at this hut said it was 3 hours to the car park! I thought I better get a move on.

Antonia had told me on the phone earlier that there was going to be rain between 3 & 4pm & it could be heavy, I also had this in the back of mind. Luckily it didn’t eventuate.

The last 8km from Brownings hut out was fairly good, especially the final 5.7km part which was nice benched track. 2km before the end a lady named Tiffany with her dog Arlo walked with me to the carpark, it was nice to have someone to chat to & make the final kilometres disappear.

I arrived just a little after 5pm, Aunty B was waiting for me in the car park & Sam was sitting at a picnic table also. It was good to be out of this section for now! Boy do I need a shower!

After dropping Sam off & going back to Aunty B’s house, I got showered! Washing on & had an amazing dinner of Pork chops, corn, salad & mashed potatoes! Yum. We also had dessert, ice cream & peaches, so good!

Definitely looking forward to a zero tomorrow, lots of things & sorting needed. Like…. New shoes, yep I’ve wrecked another pair. It’s becoming an expensive exercise!