Day 6/64 🥾Te Araroa Trail - The South Island 🇳🇿
📍Supported by ZOLEO @zoleolifeeurope #ChallengeWithZoleo
ℹ️Stats: Saturday 6th January
Weather: dry - wanted to rain
From: Davies Bay Campsite
Start time: 9.30am
To: Havelock
End time: 3pm
Accommodation: Ruckford Backpackers - bed in a dorm
Terrain: Link Pathway beside tranquil inlets, through forests - a small bit of road walking
🥾Km: 28.7
🦶Steps: 34,916
Total Km: 1805/3028 = 60% ✅
💰Costs: $30 bed in a dorm
$108 food resupply
Total $138
Subjective feeling out of 10 on:
Enjoyment: 7/10
Fatigue: 3/10
Ease of terrain: 4/10
⭐️Highlights: really nice vibe at the backpackers. The lady who runs it was really nice
🏔️Challenges: I’m getting behind with all my social media! It’s hard to keep on track with it all. Especially when the wifi is slow!!!!
💭Thoughts: food is so expensive. I hope I have enough for the Richmond Rangers which is a big 9 day section.
Day 7/64 🥾Te Araroa Trail - The South Island 🇳🇿
📍Supported by ZOLEO @zoleolifeeurope #ChallengeWithZoleo
ℹ️Stats: Sunday 7th January
Weather: very hot & sunny ☀️
From: Havelock
Start time: 10.40 am
To: Pelorus Bridge Camp Ground
End time: 3.40pm
Accommodation: camped ⛺️
Terrain: road, gravel tracks, farmland, tiny bit of forest.
🥾Km: 21
🦶Steps: 26,758
Total Km: 1826/3028 = 60% ✅
💰Costs: $22 camping ⛺️
$10 2x ice lolly
Total $32
Subjective feeling out of 10 on:
Enjoyment: 9/10 - sunny hot weather - is the best.
Fatigue: 2/10
Ease of terrain: 3/10 very flat, easy walking.
⭐️Highlights: amazing weather, stunning views. Really enjoyed today 🥳
🏔️Challenges: SH6 for the first few kms was not fun. But the views of the mountains were epic!
💭Thoughts: it’s hard to plan for the Richmond Rangers tomorrow- it depends if I can get a hitch for the 14km road section. If I have to walk it - I won’t be able to get as far into the mountains. So I’ll need to play things by ear.
Day 8/64 🥾Te Araroa Trail - The South Island 🇳🇿
📍Supported by ZOLEO @zoleolifeeurope #ChallengeWithZoleo
Pelorus River Track
ℹ️Stats: Monday 8th January
Weather: hot and sunny ☀️
From: Pelorus Bridge Camp Ground
Start time: 8.10am
To: Captains Creek Hut
End time: 3.15pm
Accommodation: camped 🏕️
Terrain: gravel road walk 14km, river side path, rooty with 1 swing bridge.
🥾Km: 17.8
🦶Steps: 22,848
Hitch 1️⃣ 2k
Total Km: 1848/3028 = 61% ✅
💰Costs: $0 whoop whoop!! Finally a day where I haven’t spent any money.
Subjective feeling out of 10 on:
Enjoyment: 8/10
Fatigue: 6/10 - so tired when I got to camp.
Ease of terrain: 7/10 such a tough day! Felt super slow going.
⭐️Highlights: stunning views, gorgeous being by the river. I’m excited for the following days.
🏔️Challenges: it’s such a gorgeous place being by the river. It is Instagram perfect. However, the reality is there are hundreds if not thousands of sand flies which are like midges and they bite and draw blood.
💭Thoughts: it’s sooo hot!! The good weather should continue for a while!
Day 9/64 🥾Te Araroa Trail - The South Island 🇳🇿
📍Supported by ZOLEO @zoleolifeeurope #ChallengeWithZoleo
Pelorus River Track
ℹ️Stats: Tuesday 9th January
Weather: very hot & sunny ☀️
From: Captains Creek Hut
Start time: 9.50 am
To: Rocks Hut
End time: 4.40pm
Accommodation: Rocks Hut
Terrain: rooty, steep, rocky
🥾Km: 9.2
🦶Steps: 11,804
Swing bridges 4
Total Km: 1858.5/3028 = 61% ✅
💰Costs: $0 yeah!!! Another no spend day!!
Subjective feeling out of 10 on:
Enjoyment: 8/10
Fatigue: 5/10
Ease of terrain: 9/10
⭐️Highlights: the walking, the views, the challenge. Sunbathing & chilling. A gorgeous day 🥳
🏔️Challenges: very steep non stop climbing. I was sunbathing & a weka bit my finger!! The sandflies in the morning were also not pleasant!
💭Thoughts: No energy left.
Day 10/64 🥾Te Araroa Trail - The South Island 🇳🇿
📍Supported by ZOLEO @zoleolifeeurope #ChallengeWithZoleo
End of the Pelorus River Track
ℹ️Stats: Wednesday 10th January
Weather: hot & sunny ☀️
From: Rocks Hut
Start time: 8.10am
To: Hacket Hut
End time: 2pm
Accommodation: Hut - bottom bunk
Terrain: rocky, rooty, forests, overgrown tracks, a few muddy sections, a little bit of river walking.
🥾Km: 10.3
🦶Steps: 13,183
Total Km: 1872/3028 = 62 % ✅
💰Costs: $0 no costs 🥳
Subjective feeling out of 10 on:
Enjoyment: 8/10 - another great day 👍
Fatigue: 3/10
Ease of terrain: 6/10
⭐️Highlights: the views - 360 degree from the saddle, the weather, getting to the hut early and getting a bunk. Chatting with fellow hikers - Jazz @jazzhikes , Milly @mountain_milly, Bertie @fundraise4fiji, Destroyer @kellydesoyres, & Alex
🏔️Challenges: climbing up the side of a river bank to get back on the track. The sandflies.
💭Thoughts: the Richmond Alpine Track tomorrow - bring on the steep ascents & descents!