TA Day 22: Thursday 9 January 2025

Timaru River, north of Mt Melina - Ahuriri River, south of Quailburn Hut

The morning started just as great as the previous one ended - with a bulldozer-made trail all the way up to the saddle. A nice elevation and we also started early so we got the ascent in shade. Ah.

At the saddle we had breakfast and did some planning. Here we also had mobile reception which meant we could have a look at where Barry was at the moment. Then we continued down the other side, now in full sun, and we were happy that we didn't have to go up in that heat. We reached Tin Hut, and here we met two bikers and some SOBOs. We took another break here, Lukas went for a dip in the river, and then we were off again.

Kim walked barefoot for a few kms, which was really nice and needed, until the track got a bit too gravelly. But it didn't take long until the track pretty much completely disappeared into a cow pasture. Here it was so wet, muddy and lots of grass, that it made it hard to follow the trail. After some wet and a bit annoying kms we crossed Birchwood Road. The landscape here was so incredibly flat, that it almost looked and felt unreal, especially with the high mountains in all directions around us.

We came closer and closer to a deep gap in the flat ground, which was the Ahuriri River, flowing through. At first, from a distance, we were wondering how we would be able to cross it, but once we got closer it looked easier. Lukas found a spot to cross, and Kim followed. Two steps for Kim were rather deep, like mid-thigh, and quite strong. Lukas walked above though, which made it easier. It was just a few short steps, and then the rest of the crossing was a lot easier.

We walked many kilometers in the odd flat landscape, but going more and more towards the mountains. Just before our planned camp spot we met a German couple, also going NOBO. We exchanged some words before we kept going just a little bit more, just so we couldn't see their tent anymore, and then pitched ours.

Lukas went for another swim in the nearby river, and Kim had a meltdown when she was going to wash herself in the, for her, ice cold waters. But some love from Lukas and candy made it all better again.

Today's:

Distance: 29.09 km

Ascent: 926 m

Descent: 1227 m

Tent nights: 14/22

Weather: Sunny and cloudy, with some winds in the afternoon