Thursday 20.04.2023

• Te Araroa kilometres done: 3002.5km
• Official kms: 11km
• Garmin kms: 12.16km (walked from accommodation)
• Total time: 2:30
• Calories burned: 655
• Body battery: 8/10
• Accommodation: Quest Invercargill
• Tent nights tally: 19
• Zero days had so far: 33

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

My attempt to sleep in this morning was a failure. It’s something I’m not good at. I did potter around this morning though & wasn’t out the door until after 9am.

It’s nearly a 1.5km walk just to regain the trail, I swear you do way more than the 3000km that is the trail.

Today I’m only doing about 11km of the official trail but about 12.5km total, this will make Saturday a shorter day being only 24km to go.

Todays trail followed the Invercargill estuary. It was quite a nice walk, however there is one part of the trail that goes through the sewage plant so can be quite smelly, all in all though not bad if you are use to a backcountry toilet.

It didn’t seem to take long before I had completed todays walk & with minimal weight on my back as most items were back in the motel. I also past the 3000km milestone! Although no markings on the ground I took a screenshot of me (blue dot) on the app.

Once I reached the main road I put my thumb out for a hitch. It took a good 20 minutes to get picked up, I guess a hairy & dirty looking hiker is not everyone’s cup of tea lol.

It was nice to get back to town by lunchtime & do some shopping for a few things. Day off tomorrow! Looking forward to doing nothing much & Antonia turning up in the afternoon!!!