Day 45 and 46 (1078 – 1118 kms)
Back on the trail after a 10 week break. Just a busy time with Christmas an all. But excited to be back. Much later in the season so will be interesting to see how many people are on the trail.
The 42 Traverse is an iconic crossing from Åwhango to the Tongariro area, along remote forest roads and through rugged terrain. Much of the trail can be done in a high clearance 4 wheel drive, but a recent slip makes the traverse impossible by car. Walkers and cyclists can take the newly created bypass, which is a very muddy and slippery track connecting the two sides. Glad I did the crossing in good conditions.
Caroline and mum dropped me off where I stopped back in October. No time to get a coffee, as it was already getting near 10am, and I had 27 kms planned for the day. The weather looked a bit threatning, but turned out I had good weather for both days of the crossing. I would ultimately do 30 kms on the first day due to a slight navigation error.
Walking along a forest road is a great way to see native bush. You can enjoy the trees, the birds, the river valleys without worrying too much about tripping over tree roots.
I opted for new boots on this trail, which turned out to be a bit of a mistake. I had wore the boots around the house for 20 minutes, and they felt really comfortable. This is obviously not enough time. And on the second day I started to feel a hot spot on my right foot. I slapped on a blister kit thingy, hoping this would solve any further problems. By the end of the second day I knew I was getting a blister, even though I could not see one.
Only met a few people cycling the trail the first day, no one walking it on the first day and alos no one cycling or walking it on the second day and had the campsite to myself overnight. I was starting to think all of the Te Araroa walkers must be ahead on me. Got to camp at 4 pm and just relaxed and enjoyed the bush around and went for a very cold and brief river swim. Hung my food in a nearby tree to avoid rats getting to it. The second day was shorter at 12 kms, but decided to get up early and get on the trail to avoid the afternoon heat. I was camped in a valley so the sun could not get to my tent to dry it out, so would walk out with a dew drenched tent. Plenty of time to dry it in the afternoon, which I did.
I also used the afternoon to plan the Whanganui River Journey. I was getting a little worried that the river journey would not be possible, as I had not found anyone to rent Alex and I a canoe. Taumarunui River Adventures posted on the group chat that they could sort me out, and after a few phone calls we were all sorted. Ideally I wanted to start on the 13th of January, but was happy to get a canoe for the 14th. I had various alternative plans should I not be able to get a canoe, but these alternatives are now no longer needed.
On the second night I stayed at the Tongariro Holiday Park. I was very surprised to see about 10 other TA walkers arrive throughout the day. That is a lot.








