Saturday 01.04.2023

• Te Araroa kilometres done: 2710
• Official kms: 24.5km
• Garmin kms: 22.23km
• Total time: 5:35
• Calories burned: 1574
• Body battery: 7/10
• Accommodation: Airbnb Glenorchy
• Tent nights tally: 18
• Zero days had so far: 27

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 had a restless sleep last night. Waking at 4am & not being able to fall back asleep until after 5am, when the alarm went off at 6:30am I pushed snooze twice.

I managed to be ready by 8:15am & called an Uber to get dropped back at the start point. Unfortunately he got lost & took 30 minutes to collect me.

I finally started walking just before 9am. Following a trail a few kilometres down to Lake Hayes. From here you go round the right hand side of the lake for 4km. About a kilometre in I met Luke (a work colleague) who was out for a run with his dog.

After getting to otherside of the lake Luke met up with me again & walked with me for the next few kilometres through Lake Hayes residential area.

After saying goodbye I carried on walking until I reached the Shotover river. The trail follows the river up & then under the main bridge until reaching the footbridge 500 metres further up.

After crossing the bridge you walk back down the otherside of the river & back under the main bridge then climb steadily up to Frankton. Passing the Pak’nsave I made my way to the main shopping complex where I sat down & had sushi for lunch. Just before this though I reached the milestone of 2700km on the trail, although this was not marked.

After lunch I had less than 10km to go so I just pushed on to get this done as Antonia will be waiting in Queenstown before I finish.

The trail was around Lake Wakatipu for the last 8km. When I had just under 2km to go I noticed I was walking around a frisbee golf course. I sent a picture to Marko as he loves frisbee golf. 30 seconds later I hear someone yelling out my name from in the trees. It was Marko, he was already in there playing!

About a kilometre later Marko had short cutted through to the trail & was talking to Hamish & Pia who were having a zero. I had a quick chat to them before taking off again to meet up with Antonia.

I had reached the Foursquare where Antonia was parked, it was great to see her! I did a quick resupply & we then drove to our Airbnb in Glenorchy.

This afternoon I have spent repacking, washing clothes & getting ready for the next section & then it was nice to spend the evening having dinner with Antonia & chilling out.

I’m going to take my time cruising to Bluff now as I have set the 22nd of April as my end date.