It was a bit drizzly this morning and I needed some convincing to stick my head out. My tried and true method to get going in the morning is to open the air valve on my mattress as soon as I wake up. By the time I’m ready to leap into action, and by this I mean roll over, groan, stretch and indulge in several loud sighs, my mattress is flat and I am forced to get up because I’m now lying on the ground without any cushioning.
After a breakkie of cold soaked oats, no coffee :-( I headed south, following the Omanua Stream through a young growth forest.
I wandered along, thinking about the day ahead and the steady, but still challenging, ascent of Pirongia Mountain.
I realised I was over thinking it. What was I doing? My body is only as strong as the mind that directs it. I’ve been pretty good at not psyching myself out on this trip. I don’t want to indulge in it today, that’s for sure!
I leave farmland behind and head off up the Tahanui Track. It was as I envisaged. Steep. Twisty. Muddy.
I stopped partway for a light lunch, but it was wet and uncomfortable so I gobbled down an OSM (One Square Meal) bar and kept going.
It was a bit cold heading to the top. It didn’t help that I got hungry and kept taking my glove off to dig around for snacks. I’m usually much better organised, with the snacks (high energy scroggin, jerky etc) portioned out for the day and stowed in the front left belt pocket of my pack. Not sure what happened this morning. I think with the wet weather I was just keen to get on with the day and didn’t follow my routine. A good lesson though; take the time, get sorted. Today I made a mistake that didn’t have a heavy impact but I can’t afford to get slack with my prep and drop the ball.
Five hours from the bottom I’m on the final ridge and stop to enjoy the summit (and slow my breathing!). Views were muted because of the rain, but it still felt pretty bloody good to be here.
I found some energy from somewhere (oh why didn’t I have that coffee this morning?) to hike another 25 minutes to the Pahautea Hut, my destination for the night. It’s still early at 4.30 but I’m ok with an early night after today’s efforts.
Pirongia mountain
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