Day 37 - down from high
Pahautea hut —-> Kaimango Road 18km
It was a chilly morning up on Pironga, the hut still covered in cloud as my alarm went off. As the sun rose, the mist cleared and we were all once again out on the deck to take in the views one more time before we had to make the descent back down.
I’d noticed yesterday that I had a hole in my shoe. A small rip sitting just over my little toe. They’d done 820km, a pretty good innings with no real issues. The tread was wearing a little thin in places but I reckoned they be good for another couple of weeks at least, assuming the hole didn’t get any bigger…
My route down the mountain first took me along the ridgeline mostly on boardwalk to another peak - Hihikiwi. From here I could look back and the the hut nestled into the bush.
The lovely boardwalk then disappeared and the scramble began. I kept checking the map convinced I had missed a turn somewhere - I was supposed to be getting off this mountain but the track continued getting steeper, taking me upwards!
I finally reached a little clearing looking out over the valley which signalled the start of the descent. Then the mud began. I mostly stayed on my feet as I clambered / slid down, falling over only when I tripped on a low hanging tricksy tree vine - these are fast becoming my arch nemesis - and my shins are fast becoming a wonderful rainbow of bruises.
A tree fall over the track in one section meant climbing under the trunk of the tree rather than over it. My limbo skills weren’t quite up to scratch which meant taking my pack off and pushing it through before I crawled behind it.
I reached the bottom and washed off the mud in a stream. I’d made pretty good time, I’d planned to have lunch when I got down here but it was only 11am - glad I was still feeling as fit as yesterday!
The rest of the morning was spent following the country roads through the hilly farmland. I spent 10 minutes searching for one of my AirPods in some long grass before remembering I could play a sound from them. I lay flat on my front, ear to the ground for at least another 10 minutes before I found it. Thank goodness for quiet country roads devoid of traffic…
I pulled out my chair by the side of the road at 1pm-ish for lunch and had just started making my wrap when the heavens opened. After quickly stuffing my face, I packed up and pulled out my shiny new bag cover. In the first month, on a few occasions i’d pulled out a damp sleeping bag after the day’s rain so had bought this in Auckland to help my waterproofing situation, plus with all the road walking I wanted to make sure I was visible.
My home for the night was with wonderful trail angels Casey & Jon. I turned up drenched, it still pouring outside. They weren’t home but messaged to tell me where I could dry off. They had a dedicated TA set up complete with shower, fridge, kettle & charging station. Amazing humans!
I chatted to Jon that afternoon over a beer and we fed their animals - two goats; Kayne & Jeremy, plus an enormous sheep. Having been trail angels for a good few years now, Casey totally understands what hikers want when they’re on the trail - she made me a gorgeous salad to go with my dinner. Can’t believe that’s what I’m craving - leaves! I tucked in for the night in their spare room and slept like a log.
