I was pretty bloody happy to reach camp last night. Yesterday was my biggest day so far and I was stuffed. I didn’t sleep well. Katie was restless last night, perhaps I should have accepted a lift after all.
I’ve grouped my next three days of hiking the Timber Trail. I walked through breathtaking, utterly delicious forests (with 35 bridges, 8 of which were suspension bridges, a fear of mine!) My only regrets are that I didn’t have sufficient knowledge to recognise and name the various types of trees and that I’m scared of heights. Well, not heights per se, rather the scary, nothing underneath, I can see the bottom, type of elevated structures. Like suspension bridges :-)
Anyway. Back to the trees. All are stunning. I loved this section so much, I would come back to NZ just to section hike it.
Day 39 Ngaherenga Campsite to Piropiro Flats campsite 38k
The first 9/10k was along a graded road and pretty easy going, especially after yesterday’s effort.
I took a small detour (80mins walking) to summit Mt Pureora so I could look out over the (Maori) King’s Country to Lake Taupo, Mt Ruapehu and the Kaimanawa Ranges. Much of the landscape I see has remained the same for eons. I can only imagine the generations of people who have stood here before me, gazing out across this land. What did they see and think, I wonder?
I descend and reconnect to the trail and eventually, I reach Bog Inn Hut.
While I would love to stay here, purely so I could tell people I stayed at the Bog Inn (yes, I realise finding this funny makes me a 12 year old) it’s too early in the day so I decide to push on to the next campsite about 18k away.
I cross over a suspension bridge which makes my heart thud and my gut fall to my boots. I’m truly not great with heights.
At all. (Another fun fact: did you know fear has an actual taste? Yeah, ‘fun’ fact indeed!)
It’s a beautiful day (perhaps made more beautiful because I didn’t actually die of fright) and there’s heaps of daylight at this time of year. Sunrise is around 5.30 and sunset around 8.45, with true dark by 9.30.
I feel confident setting up camp in the dark but it’s not my preference. Even with pushing on from Bog Inn, I make it to Piropiro with time to spare.
Day 40 Piropiro Flats Campsite to Ongarue 38k
I had a terrific night in camp last night. There were five other hikers in camp, with the last two arriving 8.30ish, in time to get set up, eat, yarn and settle before hiker midnight (9.30).
Despite my almost cellular level need for solitude, I really enjoyed meeting some new people and hearing their trail stories. Our little group included another Australian, Colette, Canadian couple Nick and Nicole (yep, Nick and Nic!) and two mates from Scotland, Paul and Dev.
Paul and Dev were hiking NOBO and were full of info on what was ahead for us SOBO mob.
The rest of talked up what was ahead for the fellas going North and I discovered I wasn’t the only one who freaked out yesterday about the suspension bridges!
I was up early and broke camp as quietly as I could. I was surprised to realise I wasn’t the first out of camp as I couldn’t see the two tents belonging to Paul and Dev. They must have been up before dawn. I can’t believe I didn’t hear them. I am usually such a light sleeper.
Today was again hiking through forests. Seriously folks. How can anyone not love, love to do this?
I have a great life back home. I love my family, friends, job, and I have a purpose.
Being out here though is really my happy place. And I don’t care if it is bush, rivers, mountains, forests. I love it all.
Is it too late to retrain as a ranger? Wood sprite?
After about 20/21k I hit #10 campsite. It’s too early to stop for the day but it’s a nice enough place to stop for lunch. I’m still on flatbread, longlife tuna and peanut butter, with a new addition of crushed up corn chips.
I know. I thought it would be disgusting too but sometimes you just need a little crunch.
I probably need to change up my resupply but I keep defaulting to what I know works Re energy, tummy filling, lightweight and fits in my pack. And it means I just don’t have to think about it when I’m town looking to resupply.
From #10, it’s pretty much downhill with the Ongarue Spiral the highlight of the day (apart from the trees!)
Until the 1940’s bush trams were the principle method of carting timber Around 1000 tramways once operated throughout the country. Most of these have been destroyed but the Ongarue tram system survives.
The spiral section is spectacular, with a lower level bridge, a very deep cutting, a curved tunnel, track and over bridge. It was pretty awesome to see.
I finish the day at a campsite purpose built for TA hikers. There was heaps of space AND a toilet!
Oh life’s luxuries...
I felt great and probably could have walked further but... there’s a toilet!
Besides, there isn’t any freedom camping spots between here and Taumarunui and I want to respect my hiking rules.
I put up my tent, scoff some noodles and venison jerky and fire up the billy. I settle in with a cuppa and feed my addiction (ginger nut biscuits).
Day 41 Campsite Ongarue to Taumarunui 26k
Today was ok. I wasn’t particularly motivated to start this morning as most of the hike today was road so I slept in to just after 7.00 and took my time breaking camp.
The road walk was tedious and it met my expectations.
Today was a good reminder to start the day with optimism and higher expectations :-)
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