3RY Update Part:

4

Date:

19th February ‘19

Day:

28

Title:

Elephant Tree ‘Trunk’.

KM Mark Start:

2529

Start Location:

Stody’s Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2515

Finish Location:

Top Timaru Hut

Actual KM today:

17

Weather:

Overcast, patches of sun and rain.

General:

Straight down the ridge line towards the Timaru River. Crossed a couple of scree slopes. Lost the trail at some point and bush bashed my way down to the river.

Loads of Rifleman with their machine gun chittering followed me through the beech forest sections.

Trail dips in and out of the river, between ascending the ridges and dropping back into the gullies.

Think the castaway “Wilson” scenario hit earlier than expected!…Saw an elephant in the tree trunk (See photos).

The red insect in the photos below is known as the Red Spider Wasp/Golden Hunter Wasp. The Sphictostethus nitidus is a wasp endemic to New Zealand on both North and South Island. Always wanted to see one of these so happy I could tick it off the list.

Body/Health:

Good

Outlook:

Not great today mentally. Found it tough going.

Tune of the Day:

King Kunta – Kendrick Lamar

Day 28 Images:

3RY Update Part:

4

Date:

18th February ‘19

Day:

27

Title:

Fire, I Made Fire.

KM Mark Start:

2540

Start Location:

Pakituhi Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2529

Finish Location:

Stody’s Hut

Actual KM today:

12

Weather:

Overcast, windy on the tops

General:

From Pakituhi Hut followed ridge to Breast Hill Summit then 4WD Track to Stody’s Hut.

Spent the arvo collecting and chopping firewood. Made fire, collected water from a spring up the hill. Rain forecast for next few days. Spotted the biggest Dragon Fly I’ve ever seen (See photos). The New Zealand bush giant dragonfly (Kapokapowai in Maori), is a giant dragonfly of the family Petaluridae, endemic to New Zealand. The Maori name means “water snatcher” alluding to the long extendable jaw that shoots out to snatch prey. They emerge at night to seek prey near the burrow entrance. They are sensitive to disturbance so are rarely observed.

Stody’s Hut is a cool wee hut. Love being at the huts with an open fire. Nothing like being in bed on a cold night, beside an open fire.

Stody’s Hut is an old, now unused Musterers Hut.

Extract from hut book by Tom Rowley. Lake Hawea Station 2011:

“This hut was a Musterers Hut. Part of Hawea Station. When we mustered this block, three men would walk up Timaru Creek hunting the sheep as they came up the valley. Another two men came over the top from the homestead and came out and mustered the next basin out and then came back to the hut where the ‘Packee’ would have a meal cooking. We would break camp at 4 o’clock in the morning and muster through towards the lake. I have very fond memories of our times in this hut…If these walls could talk there’d be some great stories told”

The white flower in the images below is Gentianella corymbifera. It is a biennial, indigenous plant that is a member of dwarf gentians. Found in Alpine locations.

Body/Health:

Good, shortish couple of days so feeling ready for the next few big ones.

Outlook:

Positive, hoping the weather doesn’t slow me down tomorrow.

Tune of the Day:

Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana

Day 27 Images:

 

3RY Update Part:

4

Date:

17th February ‘19

Day:

26

Title:

Pakituhi for the views

KM Mark Start:

2548

Start Location:

Lake Hawea

KM Mark Finish:

2539

Finish Location:

Pakituhi Hut

Actual KM today:

10

Weather:

Sunny with a few clouds.

General:

Walked along the shores of Lake Hawea. Incredible on a calm sunny morning. Locals running, riding bikes & walking dogs. Finally passed through Gladstone at the South Eastern corner of Lake Hawea. Would happily have a holiday home and a boat there thanks.

Continued for one Kilometre up Timaru Creek Road then turned East up Breast Hill Track to Pakituhi Hut. The trail follows a prominent ridge to around 1300m ASL.

Breathtaking views that continued to get more impressive the higher I climbed, including Mount Aspiring/Tititea.

Body/Health:

Really Good

Outlook:

Positive. Feel slightly less prepared food wise than I have in previous sections.

Tune of the Day:

Tomorrow – Silverchair

Day 26 Images:

3RY Update Part:

4

Date:

16th February ‘19

Day:

25

Title:

River Surfing

KM Mark Start:

2575

Start Location:

Wanaka

KM Mark Finish:

2548

Finish Location:

Lake Hawea

Actual KM today:

30

Weather:

Sunny & Hot

General:

Awesome day walking the shores of Lake Wanaka, then the Clutha River outlet track, onto the Hawea River Trail .

The Clutha (Mata Au) River is NZ’s 2nd longest and largest by volume. The waters are coloured by glacial and snow melt and filtered by lake Wanaka. It is one of the country’s purest rivers and one of the worlds swiftest flowing.

The Challenge Wanaka Multisport event was on the same course as I was walking, so I cheered them on as they flew by.

One of the more interesting scenes I observed today was a lady heckling the athletes as they ran by “Still a long way to go! Watch out! Pretty hot today!”.

I enjoyed & made the most of the the water and refreshment stations along the way of course. Cheers Challenge Wanaka.

Met two men from Colorado doing the South Island Trail. Both in their 70’s and absolute LADS. They were burning (taking the p*ss out of) each other, laughing, joking, chatting about the ladies and pulling out fist bumps left, right and centre. I felt like turning around and walking back with them…Classic.

If I’m even close to that energetic when I’m 70, I’ll be a happy man.

Crossed the bridge at Albert town and began toward Hawea River and the Hawea whitewater park.

That place is insane. Can’t wait to go back with a board.

Sat there for what seemed like forever watching the locals surf the freestanding waves.

Stayed my first night at a trail Angels.

Jill and Mike…Thank-you for having me! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for those mountain snow berries and giant pizza mushrooms.

Body/Health:

Yes Gooooood

Outlook:

Pensive. Not sure what to expect for the next section. I imagine there’ll be some pretty steep ridges to climb.

Tune of the Day:

Compton – Guerilla Black

Day 25 Images:

3RY Update Part:

4

Date:

16th February ‘19

Day:

24

Title:

Calm Before the Storm

KM Mark Start:

2575

Start Location:

Wanaka

KM Mark Finish:

2575

Finish Location:

Wanaka

Actual KM today:

0

Weather:

Sunny

General:

All day catching up on website, FB and Insta.

Coffee, Dinner and Beers in town.

Met me ol’ mates OMB an KR in town for a brew. Always good times.

Decent storm system looking to hit by Thursday so will need to keep track of where I’ll be.

The image below is a mosaic of some pieces from a talented artist I met on the trail who is drawing her journal…Charlotte Mareine.

Body/Health:

Yeah good yeah.

Outlook:

Positive, looking forward to the sections after the lakes.

Tune of the Day:

Proud Mary – Creedence Clearwater

Day 24 Images:

3RY Update Part:

3

Date:

14th February ‘19

Day:

23

Title:

Beyond the Bucket List – Zero Day

KM Mark Start:

2575

Start Location:

Wanaka

KM Mark Finish:

2575

Finish Location:

Wanaka

Actual KM today:

0

Weather:

Rain then Sun

General:

Spent the entire day sorting resupply packages and sending them off to the more remote locations.

Met a group of locals last night that went above and beyond in terms of their hospitality and generosity!

They were great company, really interested in the 3RY project and arranged for a Sky Dive Voucher from the local NZONE Skydive Wanaka – NZ!!

I’ve said it a lot already but some amazing people really show their true colours when they get the opportunity to help others.

Body/Health:

Rested

Outlook:

On a Roll – looking forward to the next section.

Tune of the Day:

Misty Frequencies- Ché Fu

Day 23 Images:

3RY Update Part:

3

Date:

13th February

Day:

22

Title:

For the Grand Kids

KM Mark Start:

2599

Start Location:

Fern Burn Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2575

Finish Location:

Wanaka

Actual KM today:

29

Weather:

Sunny

General:

Walked out of the Motatapu via Fern Burn and some remnant beech forest. Gully opens up to the spectacular Glendhu Bay. Incredible spot, with a camping ground on the shore front. Again with the perfectly turquoise lake waters. Very inviting on a hot day like today!

Met a man going SOBO (South Bound). He is a grandfather of 7 and doing Te Araroa to inspire them and let them know anything is possible. He will write a book upon completion of the journey…What a dude.

Trail continues around the lakes edge until Wanaka. Passing a few land marks. Notably the Ruby Island, a venue for dance parties during the temperance movement in the 1930’s. I was told there is still a dance floor out there.

Body/Health:

Tired but Healthy

Outlook:

Positive – Looking forward to some new sites and a cold beer.

Tune of the Day:

I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash

Day 22 Images:

3RY Update Part:

3

Date:

12th February ‘19

Day:

21

Title:

81 yr old Battler

KM Mark Start:

2615

Start Location:

Roses Hut

KM Mark Finish:

Fern Burn Hut

Finish Location:

Fern Burn Hut via Highland Creek

Hut

Actual KM today:

20

Weather:

Overcast

General:

A day of steep climbs and steeper descents.

I met an 81 year old on the Motatapu trail today. Dressed entirely in camo, with all old-school hiking gear.

I think he was finding it really tough going. He said this would be his last hike. His bag would’ve been close to a third larger and heavier than my one. I hope he makes it through ok. An absolute battler.

You’re an inspiration Tom Bayliss.

I was starting to think how tired I was and then met him. After that I had no excuses.

Pleasure to meet you Tom. Sorry I scared off your Falcon.

Lots of steep scree slopes and drop-offs along the ridges. A few brief moments of vertigo!

Body/Health:

Good Thanks.

Outlook:

Positive. Happy I did the extra hut today. The last ridge to Jack Halls Saddle – 1275 m ASL was tough going but worth the view.

Tune of the Day:

Dutchies – Shapeshifter

Day 21 Images:

3RY Update Part:

3

Date:

11th February ‘19

Day:

20

Title:

Old Timers, Gold, 2 Two Pies & A Three Shot Coffee

KM Mark Start:

2638

Start Location:

Arrowtown

KM Mark Finish:

2615.5

Finish Location:

Roses Hut – Motatapu

Actual KM today:

25

Weather:

Sunny

General:

Left Arrowtown in style. Two freshly baked pies and triple shot coffee from the Arrowtown Bakery. So good. Reminded me of my go-to school lunch from back in the day if I got hold of any money – “Two pies and a coke please”.

Then to the historical gold mining settlement, Macetown, via Sawpit Gully track and Big Hill. Eventually joining up with the Macetown 4wd track. Some cracker views of lake Hayes and surrounding areas from up on Big Hill.

Loads of wild gooseberries, blackberries and raspberries on the trail. Nibbled while I walked. After Macetown, it was all river walking up the Arrow River passing Rankle Burn and Glade Burn on the way to Roses Saddle @ 1270 m above sea level. Hell of a climb but I enjoyed it.

Lots of old gold miners huts, dry stone (schist) walls, relic mining equipment etc.

I am in awe of how those old-timers managed to do everything they did so well, when they were so far removed from civilisation, in such rugged terrain and extreme conditions. Hats off fellas.

Spotted Lake Wanaka on the horizon as I hit Roses saddle. Nice to see a bulls eye to aim for.

Rained heavily tonight. Tented again. I Learn something every time I put that thing up!

Body/Health:

Goooooood.

Outlook:

Loving it – Life is a lot better with healthy feet.

Tune of the Day:

Verona – Elemeno P

Day 20 Images:

3RY Update Part:

3

Date:

10th February ‘19

Day:

19

Title:

Wakatipu Work-Around

KM Mark Start:

2667

Start Location:

Glenorchy

KM Mark Finish:

2638

Finish Location:

Arrowtown

Actual KM today:

70

Weather:

Sunny and Hot

General:

Today I continue off the official Te Araroa route. As I previously mentioned, my goal is to ‘connect the steps’ and complete the length of country with no breaks en route, all self propelled. The sections that are skipped by the ‘official’ Te Araroa route (and that I need to work-around) can be completed via any self propelled method. Running, kayaking, swimming, cycling, or any way I can, as long as its self propelled.

The regular TA walkers would get a shuttle from Greenstone car park, through Kinloch and Glenorchy and start the trail again in QT.

I had already made it to Glenorchy on foot and had arranged for a bike to be in Glenorchy to get me back on the trail.

I Enjoyed the cycle around lake Wakatipu! Went via the mountain bike park for a blat which was good times. Not the quickest route but still worth it. The total KM’s for the day was 70+. I hadn’t used a bike in over 20 years so my bum did not enjoy the prolonged time on a bike seat. Had to come up with some inventive padding solutions to ease the discomfort. I won’t go into these here! LOL

Some amazing scenery along lake Wakatipu. It’s a great spot. Super busy these days.

Thanks to my good friends Amanda and Brendan for putting me up!

Body/Health:

Sore Arse! Shaky legs.

Outlook:

Happy to have that section completed. Looking forward to finally seeing Macetown.

Tune of the Day:

Politician – Kora

Day 19 Images: