TA Day 50

TA Day 50: Thursday 6 February 2025

Northwest of Mt Ellis - Mid Wairoa Hut

This morning we had the most beautiful morning in Te Araroa so far. During the night the clouds had sunk, and we were now in a cozy, silent forest, high above the clouds with views in all directions.

We started hiking and since we still had plenty of water from the day before, we could stop on the ridge to have breakfast. Here the views were also great, and we really enjoyed ourselves.

But from here, the terrain quickly got worse, slow-going downhill with many sections of boulders we needed to climb over.

After a short break at Top Wairoa Hut it was time to move on. We had read a lot about this part being slow, and "a goat path". At first it wasn't bad at all, but it gradually got worse and worse, although never as bad as some people had made it seem. But there were some parts that needed almost some climbing, and balancing on really narrow paths along the side of the forest wall. No wondered it was called a goat path.

After some time we stopped by a a beautiful "swimming pool" and both of us went in. Then we had some lunch in the sun. It was lovely!

When we continued, we passed more beautiful swimming pools/holes, and Lukas was a bit sad that there was no time to stop for a swim. But Kim told him that he could go in whole she continued, and Lukas was really happy because this was one of his favourite swimming spots!

While Kim continued, her foot suddenly caved in on itself and twisted. She lost her balance and was about to tumble off the path and down the slope. But luckily she ended up lying on her siden on the path, and could quite easily push herself into a sitting position, and now she was sitting on the path with her feet dangling down the slope. Her ankle hurt when she moved it, but hopefully she hadn't really twisted her ankle like on Stewart Island... Right!?

While she fought the tears burning behind her eyelids, she moved her foot up and down in slow, determined motions. The pain slowly subsided and she could breathe out. It was okay.

She continued the hike, and Lukas soon caught up with her, just before arriving at the hut. Here there was another really nice swimming pool and perfect for the evening bath/wash.

Tonight we decided to sleep inside the hut as there was no good camp spots left around the hut, only the helicopter landing zone which you of course cannot camp on.

Today's:

Distance: 13.35 km

Ascent: 357 m

Descent: 1245 m

Tent nights: 34/50

Weather: Sunny