3RY Update Part:

5

Date:

1st March ‘19

Day:

38

Title:

Erewhon?

KM Mark Start:

2314

Start Location:

Crooked Spur Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2305

Finish Location:

Potts Lodge

Actual KM today:

30

Weather:

Sunny!

General:

Rangitata Danger Zone – check!

Stoked to have that box ticked and the Rangitata River section behind me.

Started the morning walking down Bush Stream, in between Mount Brabazon and Mount Sinclair. When I eventually hit the Rangitata River I wanted to collect a resupply package (10 days worth of supplies) I’d previously sent through to Mesopotamia Station, around 3km south of where I exited the ranges.

At Mesopotamia there is a plaque with names in memory of those from Mesopotamia who fell in the 1914-1918 War.

Another plaque marks the historic site of Samuel Butlers Homestead 1861…now a quaint little school. Samuel Butler originally founded Mesopotamia and wrote the famous fantastical Satire Erewhon. They say this is ‘Nowhere’ spelt backwards…buuuuut, it’s not.

A strangely eerie place but very cool to visit.

From here I left the official trail again…I needed to get across the Rangitata River. This is a section that is considered a no-go zone. (Anyone that’s doing the TA and considering this, I recommend you don’t. I had a number of safety measures in place that made it possible, including people keeping watch onshore).

I had spent some time picking a line to cross the braided river and went for it. There were a few deeper sections but the weather had been kind to me over the last few days so I managed the crossing without too much drama.

When I arrived at my final destination (Mt Potts Lodge), I was pleasantly surprised. I had imagined a farm house and a field for my tent. There was a bar, cafe and bunk rooms…”Yup, start a tab please mate”.

Body/Health:

Achilles and feet quite tender. I’m hoping they’ll loosen up.

Outlook:

Happy to get that section done. Now looking forward to the Rakaia River Crossing

Tune of the Day:

Paranoid – Black Sabbath

Day 38 Images:

3RY Update Part:

5

Date:

28th February ‘19

Day:

37

Title:

Hunting Grounds

KM Mark Start:

2330

Start Location:

Royal Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2314

Finish Location:

Crooked Spur Hut via Stone Hut

Actual KM today:

18.37

Weather:

Sunny with odd big gust of wind.

General:

A relatively non eventful day. Followed Bush Stream to Stone Hut. After a quick look around I cut over the ranges on mostly scree slopes and tussock covered landscape to cross Sweeps Stream and Packhorse Stream, to eventually arrive at my final destination for the day, Crooked Spur Hut. Night sky is INSANELY bright and clear. Three Tahr hunters here for the night so we spent the eve spotting (glassing)them from the hut with Binoculars.

Body/Health:

Gooood

Outlook:

Rangitata crossing to sort out before tomorrow.

Tune of the Day:

Toy Soldiers – Eminem

Day 37 Images:

3RY Update Part:

5

Date:

27th February ‘19

Day:

36

Title:

Sleeping with the Royals.

KM Mark Start:

2345.5

Start Location:

Camp Stream Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2330

Finish Location:

Royal Hut

Actual KM today:

22.92

Weather:

Extreme winds on the ridge, was throwing me around like a rag doll.

General:

Followed the ridge line parallel to camp stream gully. This route is considered a no-go if conditions aren’t suitable.

The winds picked up as I was ascending the ridge to the point I was blown off balance most steps. The rain hit and it became bitterly cold…but all very invigorating.

The highest point of Te Araroa is Stag Saddle @ 1926m ASL. I took a wee detour before Stag Saddle and went to the closest peak @ around 1980-2000m ASL. I stuck around long enough to take a few shots and made a quick exit – I was frozen.

I found a primo little pond – nature’s version of an infinity pool (See photos).

After the obligatory Stag Saddle photos, it was a descent to Royal Hut. A cool wee hut that apparently earned its name after Prince Charles and Princess Anne visited in 1971. I was all geared up to be sleeping in the same bed as a Royal but I’ve since found out they were choppered in via an AirForce helicopter, had a look around, a cup of tea and choppered out again…so no such luck.

Finished the day with a swim in the river, a little banter and a few games with some other people at the hut.

The white/grey flower below is a Mat Daisy – Raoulia Australis.

Body/Health:

Good

Outlook:

Positive – Starting to think about the upcoming river crossings.

Tune of the Day:

Numb/Encore – Jay Z & LP

Day 36 Images:

3RY Update Part:

5

Date:

26th February ‘19

Day:

35

Title:

Late Arrival

KM Mark Start:

2379

Start Location:

Tekapo

KM Mark Finish:

2345.5

Finish Location:

Camp Stream Hut

Actual KM today:

38

Weather:

Sunny all day

General:

Left Tekapo centre and started pushing up the eastern shores of Lake Tekapo, parallel with Lillibank Road. I passed Motuariki Island @

around the 12 km mark for the day. The Richmond Trail eventually takes me into the ranges and continues parallel to Boundary Stream. Traversing the western slopes of Richmond Ranges (not the infamous ones that share the same name further north), leads me to first, the Round Hill Ski Area then Coal River and finally Camp Stream Hut.

Body/Health:

Good, a fair few aches in back and legs today. It’ll sort itself.

Outlook:

Positive – Looking Forward to Stag Saddle the highest pass of the TA

Tune of the Day:

So True – Black Seeds

Day 35 Images:

3RY Update Part:

5

Date:

25th February ‘19

Day:

34

Title:

Looooong, flat, straight, hot – Day of Canal Walking.

KM Mark Start:

2410.5

Start Location:

Pines on Shores of Lake Pukaki before trail goes East to Tekapo

KM Mark Finish:

2379

Finish Location:

Tekapo

Actual KM today:

35

Weather:

Sunny, snow on ranges

General:

Most opt to cycle this section as it’s a long haul of mostly flat canal side walking. I walked it, and quite welcomed the break from the more arduous backcountry trails.

Hit the road at day break to get some distance under my belt before the weather got too hot. I passed the Pukaki Power Station which marks the beginning of the Tekapo Canals and Salmon Farms.

A few fishermen dotted the banks of the canals trying their luck next to the salmon farms.

Spotted a few Salmon patrolling the edges, one absolute monster.

I keep hearing the weather is supposed to to take a turn for the worse. Not too fazed about the rain, if I get wet, I get wet. As long as I can stay a comfortable temperature I’ll be happy.

Billy Colony said it best:

“I hate all those weathermen that tell you that rain is bad weather. There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so go get yourself a sexy rain coat and live a little”

Body/Health:

Good but tired

Outlook:

A little daunted by the upcoming few sections

Tune of the Day:

These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding

Day 34 Images:

3RY Update Part:

5

Date:

24th February ‘19

Day:

33

Title:

Canterbury – Bring it.

KM Mark Start:

2433.5

Start Location:

Twizel

KM Mark Finish:

2410.5

Finish Location:

Pines on Shores of Lake Pukaki before trail goes East to Tekapo

Actual KM today:

25.1

Weather:

Raining in the morn. Then cloud with patches of sun.

General:

Took a while to brave the rain and cold. Had brekky and coffee at café in Twizel.

Followed Alps to Ocean (A2O) trail west of the Pukaki Aerodrome. Mostly tussock and wildling pines until I hit lake Pukaki itself. Stopped for another coffee and a look around the Mount Cook Salmon Info Centre. Clouds prevented a clear view of the mountains, so I was thankful I’d been at the Mount Cook village with a clear day yesterday.

Pushed on down the eastern shores of lake Pukaki, past the pines campsite @ the southern end, picking the odd wild apple from trees down the Trail.

A2O ultimate is on at the mo’ so I saw the competitors arriving to their destination for the night, looking knackered and relieved to be there.

Found a good place to camp about 5 km past Dover Pass lookout. Set up for the night.

The reinforcement steel bar in the image below was deformed by the water flowing out of the Ruataniwha Spillway while the Dam was being constructed.

Body/Health:

Great

Outlook:

Positive. Keen to get 2moro done and dusted as it’ll be a relatively big one.

Tune of the Day:

Bonkers – Dizzee Rascal

Day 33 Images:

3RY Update Part:

5

Date:

23rd February ‘19

Day:

32

Title:

Mount Cook – Zero Day

KM Mark Start:

2433.5

Start Location:

Twizel

KM Mark Finish:

2433.5

Finish Location:

Twizel

Actual KM today:

0

Weather:

Sunny

General:

Spent the day at Mount Cook Village looking at some amazing displays on; climbing, photography, animals, geology, old expedition huts…all sorts.

Spent the eve catching up on 3RY admin.

Was treated to a beer and outside hot tub in the eve! The perfect finish to a zero day.

Body/Health:

Ready to go

Outlook:

Pumped

Tune of the Day:

Falsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash

Day 32 Images:

 

3RY Update Part:

4

Date:

22nd February ‘19

Day:

31

Title:

There is such a thing as a free lunch

KM Mark Start:

2472.5

Start Location:

Lake Middleton via East Ahuriri Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2433.5

Finish Location:

Twizel

Actual KM today:

30

Weather:

Sunny and hot

General:

Left Lake Middleton to join up with the Alps to Ocean (A2O) Trail. It is a mostly flat, scenic and enjoyable walk along the shores of Lake Ohau until Ohau Wier. Where it takes the A2O flood route alongside Ohau River. More wild Blackberries along here.

A mate in the know had given me the heads up that the Rowing Nationals Regatta was underway on the northern banks of Lake Ruataniwha. This meant good food and cold water! I was on the south bank, so I waded across the Ohau River and took a diversion behind the Ohau A Power Station to get me into the event.

I made a B-line to the food stalls. The ‘Manuka Smoked Bacon and Egg Butties’ crew heard about the 3RY project and shouted me lunch! L.E.G.E.N.D.S.

From there it’s a road walk to Twizel.

Was lucky enough to be put-up in the coolest rustic style (interior and exterior) log home. Thanks for having me W & J, was an absolute luxury for sure! Out door hot tub was the best…I won’t be getting that on the trail that’s for sure.

Body/Health:

Great

Outlook:

Weather forecast doesn’t look great. Hard to plan sections with the unknowns bad weather brings. All good though, part of the challenge.

Tune of the Day:

Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley

Day 31 Images:

3RY Update Part:

4

Date:

21st February ‘19

Day:

30

Title:

Splash

KM Mark Start:

2487

Start Location:

North of Ahuriri River. Under the willow trees by the East Ahuriri Stream. Alongside Longslip Station. Via Tin Hut.

KM Mark Finish:

2462.5

Finish Location:

Lake Middleton via East Ahuriri Hut

Actual KM today:

35.65

Weather:

Rain, sun, rain, sun, rain, sun.

General:

Continued following Ahuriri East Branch up the valley, west of Ohau Range. Slow progress today with a large portion of the trail over large scree slopes off the back of the ranges. Combined with large tussocks, this makes for difficult terrain.

A slippery rock caught me off guard, lost my footing and ended up sprawled out in the river.

Eventually the trail heads off a high country basin into a beech forest and down onto the shores of Lake Ohau and Lake Middleton.

A nice touch today was a natural spring that had been piped to provide water to the people on the trail (including a sign and cups – see photos).

Met a group of Dunedin locals camping on the shores of Lake Middleton. They knew half my school mates and offered me a cold beer…”yesss thaanks”.

Insect below is one of the 42 New Zealand cicada fauna species, although additional species are yet to be formally described. All are unique to New Zealand. They arrived within the last 11 million years, well after the New Zealand land mass became isolated after separating from Australia.

Body/Health:

Good, Knackered

Outlook:

I was frustrated today. Fell in river, fell on rocks, tripped on roots. Just felt like a battle. Looking forward to a flat section.

Tune of the Day:

‘Till I Collapse – Eminem

Day 30 Images:

3RY Update Part:

4

Date:

20th February ‘19

Day:

29

Title:

Old Hunting Grounds

KM Mark Start:

2515

Start Location:

Top Timaru Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2487

Finish Location:

North of Ahuriri River. Under the willow trees by the East Ahuriri Stream. Alongside Longslip Station. Via Tin Hut.

Actual KM today:

35.74

Weather:

Spitting in the morning, cloud cleared and it turned out sunny and hot.

General:

Was not sure how today would pan out. I had no real idea about where I’d be able to camp and knew it’d be a big day, with at least one high country saddle I’d have to get over (Martha’s Saddle).

Thankfully that pass was in the morning.

Followed Timaru River up towards the ranges and Mount Martha. Most of the ascent was over scree slopes. I then began the descent toward Tin Hut and onto Avon Burn and finally Melenas Ridge Track to bring me out at Ahuriri River and Longslip Station (my Dads & Uncles old Hunting Ground and Holiday Spot)

The crossing of the braided Ahuriri River was relatively easy.

Continued alongside Longslip Station and found some Willows and a small stream to set up camp.

Insect below is commonly known as Robber Fly, Assassin Fly or Bee Killer. They have eyes wide apart giving them excellent 3D vision. Their large claws help to hold onto the insects they attack where they bite the soft part of their neck paralysing them by injecting a neurotoxin. Good times.

The official TA route 500km mark was indicated by some bones along the track (See photos below).

Body/Health:

Good! Yussss

Outlook:

Looking forward to Twizel. Love the camping spot tonight.

Tune of the Day:

Chop Suey! – System Of a Down

Day 29 Images: