Day 62 (1,494 to 1,524 kms)
Into the hills I go. The trail notes provide two suggestions for how approach the next 140 kms through the Tararua Ranges. There are no convenient shops along the way. First, walk for three days from Palmerston North to the Makahika Outdoor Center where you retrieve the food package you sent yourself earlier in the week. This knocks off 63 kms. Due to the way the huts work in the ranges, the next 77 kms can be done in three long days or six short days, and various combinations in between. And the final day is a walk out to Waikanae. My plan is to take enough food for 9 days, but hope to only take 7 days to complete the journey Palmerston North to Waikanae. This also allows me to get a bus back to Hastings in time for a birthday party I am keen to go to. It also means I will be taking the quick option.
So, with the next 7 days all sorted out, I pack up my tent and get an early start. The trailer selling coffee was still closed as I set off, so no coffee for me. South of Palmerston North is the Manawatū campus of the Massey University, and I got to walk through parts of the campus. There is also a very nice green belt providing a corridor out of the city.
It was not long before civilization disappeared and I was in a forest and watershed area. As I walked I realized I forgot to buy camping gas, so was wondering how I would be cooking my meals for the next 7 days. I figured I had about 3 days supply of camping gas left. And my water bladder started to leak. So, this was not starting quite as well prepared as I thought.
The kms clicked by quite quickly and I was looking forward to seeing the halfway sign. It was not where I expected it to be. Eventually it showed up. So, half of Te Araora is now complete. It is a good milestone, but completing the North Island is a better one, and one I am looking forward to achieving this year.
It was a warm day, and I arrived at the shelter around 3:30pm. The first thing I did was go for a swim in the tiny little pool behind the shelter that had a nice little waterfall feeding it. Ahh, the little luxuries of life. Dinner was a cold soaked meal of roast chicken, as I wanted to save my little supply of camping gas for coffee over the next week. No one else turned up, so I had the shelter to myself.
