Friday 10.03.2023

• Te Araroa kilometres done: 2313
• Official kms: 21.2km
• Garmin kms: 22.67km
• Total time: 7:40
• Calories burned: 3130
• Body battery: 8/10
• Accommodation: Manuka hut
• Tent nights tally: 18
• Zero days had so far: 23

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

I woke up just after 6am, then sat outside with Jen & cooked my breakfast as not to disturb the others still sleeping in the hut.

Alina, Ladina & I were packed & ready to go at 8am. It was a cold start & to make it even colder we had to zigzag the knee deep North branch Ashburton river numerous times.

It wasn’t long before we caught up to Jen who had left 20 minutes prior to us. The 4 of us stuck together & at the 2 hour mark we sat down for a morning tea break. Jens partner Tomas turned up not long afterwards.

Myself & the two girls started off again to complete the last 3.5km to reach Clent hills saddle. On the way up I managed to fall in a hole, stick my hand out, as you do, but my hand landed in Spaniard a very spikey plant that made my hand bleed all over.

About 30 minutes later we reached the saddle & also the 2300km mark for the Trail! Only 700km to go.

Also a highlight today was the 3 big scree slopes we had to walk across just after the saddle, it was amazing.

It wasn’t long before we sat next to a mountain creek for lunch, I had salami, cheese & aioli wraps & a vitasport electrolyte.

After lunch it was a slippery descent to gain the valley below, a familiar site into the Lake Heron area.

The last 6km were fast & easy walking to Manuka hut. We arrived just after 3:30pm, Stephanie was sitting inside having a snack. As no one else was here & all bunks were still free we decided to stop here & call it a day. Bob, Bronagh & Emmy turned up within an hour & claimed the last 3 beds.

It’s a 32km day tomorrow but apparently a fast easy 32km. We are leaving here at 7:30am so we can get to the car park at around 4pm. Antonia will be there & I get to spend 2 nights with her! I’m looking forward to tomorrow.