3RY Update Part:

3

Date:

9th February ‘19

Day:

18

Title:

Maintenance QT – Zero Day

KM Mark Start:

2667

Start Location:

Glenorchy

KM Mark Finish:

2667

Finish Location:

Glenorchy

Actual KM today:

0

Weather:

Sunny

General:

Stayed in Cromwell. No accommodation in Queenstown due to the Chinese New Year Crowds.

Spent the day sorting equipment issues in Queenstown. New, warmer sleeping bag, new Firemaple & merino tee.

Tested the bike I’ll be using tomorrow. This is gonna’ be interesting. I haven’t properly ridden a bike in 20 years.

Today my father recited an advert that Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton posted sometime around 1914, when he was looking to source crew members for the initially doomed and then miraculous polar expedition.

“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success”

Made me think about the lengths individuals have gone to and will go to, in order to follow their passions. Often with little chance of success or reward.

Body/Health:

Surprisingly good. Was worried yesterdays river crossings and running may have hurt the body today, but it’s all good.

Outlook:

Positive…A little nervous about the big bike ride.

Tune of the Day:

Sitting Inside my Head – Supergroove

Day 18 Images:

3RY Update Part:

3

Date:

8th February ‘19

Day:

17

Title:

Mad Dash

KM Mark Start:

2860

Start Location:

Greenstone Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2667

Finish Location:

Greenstone Carpark then additional section to Kinloch, then mad dash to Glenorchy.

Actual KM today:

27

Weather:

Sunny and hot

General:

Loved the walk out of Greenstone Valley to Greenstone carpark.

Here is where I went a little more off the beaten Te Araroa trail.

The official trail encourages people to grab a shuttle from Greenstone Carpark, through Kinloch and Glenorchy and around to QT.

My goal is to do these sections self propelled. I walked the additional 13km to Kinloch and then performed a mad dash across the Dart and Rees rivers to Glenorchy.

I assessed the risk, went for it and was stoked with the result.

30 mins and I was across to Glenorchy. This saved me another 35ish km of walking.

(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)

Have arranged a bike to get the ‘hazard zone’ between Glenorchy and Queenstown completed in good time.

Body/Health:

Good!

Outlook:

Buzzing, loved the variation today. Hoping the cycle section goes to plan.

Tune of the Day:

Method Man – Wu Tang Clan

Day 17 Images:

3RY Update Part:

3

Date:

7th February ‘19

Day:

16

Title:

Laters Southland

KM Mark Start:

2690

Start Location:

Taipo Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2680

Finish Location:

Greenstone Hut

Actual KM today:

10.3

Weather:

Sunny

General:

Freezing night! Had 4 layers of merino, puffer jacket and sleeping bag – still cold. Tent was drenched with condensation.

Late start, knew I had a short day today.

Highlight of my day occurred as I left the hut, beside the inviting, turquoise water swimming hole. I watched the pair of NZ Falcons hunting down the river. They were mesmerising to watch with their maneuverability, rapid changing of direction and working as a pair. Those birds are Raaaad.

I left the Mararoa river behind and began following Pond Burn and then Pass Burn up the gully. The track went through bush and grazed tussock land, ‘till I hit Greenstone hut. Compared to the previous huts this is like a five star Hilton…Running water. Yeeeeeew!

Felt a sense of achievement today. Crossed the boundary between Southland and Otago. Whoop whoop!!

Body/Health:

Good!

Outlook:

Positive

Tune of the Day:

Fortunate Sun – Creedance Clearwater

Day 16 Images:

3RY Update Part:

2

Date:

6th February ‘19

Day:

15

Title:

Big Fish Little River

KM Mark Start:

2718

Start Location:

Mavora Lakes Camping ground.

KM Mark Finish:

2690

Finish Location:

Taipo Hut via Carey’s Hut and Boundry Hut

Actual KM today:

28.73

Weather:

Sunny and hot, very cold over night.

General:

Nice walk down the North Mavora lakeside and up the valleys to the various huts. Was given a quick-fire tour of ‘Lord of the Rings’ set locations before leaving the camp ground…cheers Grant.

Passed Shirkers bush (See photos) – a location where obsconders of World War 1 and/or 2 hid from the authorities. They rode their horses up and lived in the bush. Nice place to hide, not so sure about how nice it’d be in the winter. It is located just to the East of where Windon Burn meets the Mararoa River, West of the Thompson Mountains.

Passed a fisherman with a tally of 3 trout for the day. Saw a monster one in the river before boundary hut.

The terrain feels like a scene out of an old western movie. Especially with the sun setting and NZ Falcons calling. Love it.

Arrived at Taipo hut and spotted an inviting swimming hole I couldn’t pass up. Went for a dip. Crystal clear mountain water, perfect rejuvenator.

Body/Health:

Good! Touch wood.

Outlook:

Super stoked I got the opportunity to see Mavora Lakes. It’s a special place for sure.

Tune of the Day:

Seven Nation Army – White Stripes

Day 15 Images:

3RY Update Part:

2

Date:

5th February ‘19

Day:

14

Title:

Mavora Hospitality

KM Mark Start:

2734

Start Location:

Kiwi Burn Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2718

Finish Location:

Mavora Lakes Camping Area – Terrace 2

Actual KM today:

19

Weather:

Sunny, overcast in patches, windy

General:

All of today was following the Mararoa River on the western bank. Impressively clear, turquoise waters. Passed a few swing bridges along the way. Most of the trail was in beech forest.

A South Island Robin come down to hang for a while and I saw a few good sized trout along the river.

The previous day a friendly couple had stopped in their car for a chat and suggested I drop into their camp site when passing through Mavora. I did just that, and they were all a super hospitable, friendly and generous bunch. They sorted me out a HOT camp shower (water heated by the outside fire). They then served up a camp-cooked meal and provided me with endless refills of Geoff’s home brew beer (Great drop Geoff…don’t listen to ‘em!).

Spent the night swapping yarns, lies and laughs with them and a crew of other friends from around the campground.

Thanks again:

Dawn

Geoff

Joe

Rachel

Yvonne

Grant

Great group of Kiwi’s.

Body/Health:

Good, same as yesterday with boots etc.

Outlook:

Energy was down a little today, the afternoon was slow going. Hopefully picks up tomorrow.

Tune of the Day:

Israel’s Son – Silverchair

Day 14 Images:

3RY Update Part:

2

Date:

4th February ‘19

Day:

13

Title:

Walking on Air

KM Mark Start:

2758

Start Location:

Mavora Farm

KM Mark Finish:

2734

Finish Location:

Kiwiburn Hut

Actual KM today:

25

Weather:

Sunny and Windy

General:

Started the day with a 1.5 litre bottle full of ‘No Ugly’ wellness tonic, THE best start to the morning!

Cut across an anglers access, through a farm to do my first official river crossing, the Mararoa River. Wasn’t too high a flow rate, so no trouble crossing. I carried on up Kiwi Burn river to intersect the track which took me to Kiwi Burn hut.

Three old boys on their way to a local fishing spot stopped and offered me a beer for the road. Cold Speights went down an absolute treat! They then offered to pick up the empty on the way back so I didn’t have to carry the rest of my trip. Some great Kiwis come out of the woodwork when you do something like this.

Kiwi Burn Hut – an awesome wee hut. One side of the long hut is all windows, with a cracker view. Nice layout.

New boots felt like walking on air. Still feel the previous bruising etc but nothing even close to what it has been.

Met a fella called Maik (Mike), and get this…He’s German, and he is a Shepherd – Actual. Mind = Blown.

Says he spends his holidays going bush, avoiding people. Has a badly busted knee but still prefers to walk (with his walking stick) and find some solitude. A really nice dude.

Body/Health:

Pretty good. I imagine it’ll take a week or so for the new boots to walk off the bruising and blisters etc. Fingers crossed they wear in quickly.

Outlook:

Loving it. Finally got to a destination before my planned time.

Tune of the Day:

White Unicorn – Wolfmother

Day 13 Images:

3RY Update Part:

2

Date:

3rd February ‘19

Day:

12

Title:

New Kicks 🥾!! Zero Day

KM Mark Start:

2758.5

Start Location:

Mavora Farm – Staying in Mossburn

KM Mark Finish:

2758.5

Finish Location:

Mavora Farm but staying in Mossburn

Actual KM today:

0

Weather:

Sunny and Warm

General:

Went to Te Anau and stocked up on necessities.

New sunnies, boots, snacks & picked up resupply package from Four Square. Callum and Marissa Bruce from Four Square Te Anau presented myself and the 3RY project with a sponsorship voucher, such a friendly and generous bunch down here!

Was also stoked to discover No Ugly Wellness Tonic had delivered a box of their product…Daaaamn, that’s a good drop. I’ve filled my water bottle with it to enjoy on the trail tomorrow.

Coffee in town…I miss town coffee.

Huhu beetle on the deck. Cool little creatures those ones.

Enjoyed dinner and a drink at the local in Mossburn. Ma n’ Pa came through, so was great to catch up and fill them in on the trip so far.

Body/Health:

Feet bathed in iodine and bandaged up. Feels good to be out of those shoes.

Outlook:

Positively pumped about new boots.

Tune of the Day:

Standing in the Rain – Action Bronson

Day 12 Images:

3RY Update Part:

2

Date:

2nd February ‘19

Day:

11

Title:

Mike 1 – Takatimus 0

KM Mark Start:

2769

Start Location:

Lower Princhester Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2758.5

Finish Location:

Mavora Farm on Mavora Lakes Road

Actual KM today:

10.7

Weather:

First cold night! But day sunny and hot.

General:

Slept-in at the Lower Princhester Hut. I knew I had an easy day ahead. Road walked North through farm access ways, with the Takatimu Ranges behind me getting smaller with every step. Loved the scenery, enjoyed the challenge, but the struggle was real re: my feet and the terrain I needed to contend with.

Enjoyed a beer and burger in Te Anau.

Body/Health:

General leg/body aches are a lot less than when I started – trail fitness kicking in. Only problem now is……….you guessed it. My feet.

Outlook:

Pumped!…can’t wait for Te Anau. Excited about Mavora Lakes section

Trail Gear Updates:

Shoes have to go. Go pro mount busted! Kaiser Baas Represent✊🏼

Tune of the Day:

Mo Money Mo Problems – Notorious B.I.G (feat. Mase & Puff Daddy)

Day 11 Images:

3RY Update Part:

2

Date:

1st February ‘19

Day:

10

Title:

Lost in the Takatimus

KM Mark Start:

2785

Start Location:

Aparima Hut

KM Mark Finish:

2769

Finish Location:

Lower Princhester Hut

Actual KM today:

23.5

Weather:

Absolutely pouring down this AM then sun came out.

General:

Was heavy rain this morn so decided to take a zero day. Rugged up and slept-in, but awoke to beautifully sunny conditions. As a result, decided a late start would be a goer to get to Lower Princhester Hut and therefore a shorter walk tomorrow.

Had been on the trail for around 2hrs and had a sensation that I was heading in the wrong direction. Thankfully I checked the maps. I was 2.5 km up the wrong gully. I couldn’t bring myself to back-track to the place I went wrong, so bush bashed my way through to meet back up with the trail.

Was relatively hard going today with head height tussock and swamp conditions that would catch me off guard. I’d be walking along and then suddenly find myself in thigh deep mud holes. The terrain alternated between this and steep ridges and beech forest gullies.

Little birds followed me through the bush again today. Like fan tails, very small tail, really agile, hanging upside down and all over the show. (See previous post re: Tomtits and Rifleman)

I realised today, it’s not the walking that exhausts you. It’s the unpredictable conditions, roots, mud, thick bush, tussocks, rivers, boulders, vines, steep slippery banks (up and down), fallen trees, uneven ground, viscously sharp plants and any other obstacles Mother Nature throws in your path.

I got lost a number of times today. The location markers and maps did not want to play ball.

It was supposed to take 6 hrs. Took me 8.5. Very glad to make the lower Prichester hut.

The kiwi bush took its first gear causality of my journey. My sunnies are forever lost to the Takatimus. Well I ain’t going back for ‘em.

Body/Health:

Exhausted again, feet not improving.

Outlook:

Positive – Closer to Te Anau – Closer to new boots – closer to beer and closer to a whisky night cap.

Tune of the Day:

Everybody Walking’ This Land – Paul Cauthen

Day 10 Images:

3RY Update Part:

2

Date:

31st January ‘19

Day:

9

Title:

Trail Bullies

KM Mark Start:

2806

Start Location:

Telford Burn Tent Site

KM Mark Finish:

2785

Finish Location:

Aparima Hut (via lower wairaki hut)

Actual KM today:

26

Weather:

Warm all day, super freaky windy on the tops! Blows me off balance. Sheltered and dead still in the trees.

General:

You might think wearing all black makes you look stealth. To a mosquito you look like a chump and they’ll harass you till you break – Trail Bullies.

Pushed through to Aparima Hut instead of stopping at Lower Wairaki. 100 % Focussed on getting Te Anau now, so I can sort my shoes and feet out. Nice forest walk today, up and down an absolute bucket load of beech forest gullies and ridges. The colours of the foliage, lichens and mosses and various types of fungi still catch my eye. Would like to know what type of bird I see a lot of here is. A little bird smaller than a fan tail, sounds similar to a fantail, some green individuals and the others black’n’white but they have almost no tail, pointy narrow beak.

NB: Have since found out they are Rifleman and Tomtits, although there is some debate re: the Tomtits and the size of what I saw vs. what they are supposed to be.

Insane views from the tops of the ranges above Takatimu Forest, extend back to Stewart Island and Colac Bay.

Stayed in a rad wee hunting hut I stumbled across, with a cosy as fire and a memorial for a deer culler that must’ve frequented the hut or passed away there.

Body/Health:

Exhausted but pumped about getting some new kicks.

Outlook:

Positive – Enjoyed the challenge today. Still want to get the feet fixed.

Tune of the Day:

Long Live the Chief – Jidenna•The Chief

Day 9 Images: