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Day 31-35: Goat Pass Hut to Comyns Hut. 2192km-2292km - šŸ„¾Te Araroa Trail - The South Island šŸ‡³šŸ‡æ


Day 31/64 šŸ„¾Te Araroa Trail - The South Island šŸ‡³šŸ‡æ

šŸ“Supported by ZOLEO @zoleolifeeurope #ChallengeWithZoleo


Final part of Deception Track, Harper River Track & Klondyke Track.


ā„¹ļøStats: Wednesday 31st January

Weather: hot & sunny ā˜€ļø

From: Goats Pass Hut

Start time: 8.55am

To: Bealey Hut

End time: 5.45pm

Accommodation: bottom bunk - 6 bed hut




šŸ„¾Km: 15.9

šŸ¦¶Steps: 20,392


Total Km: 2212/3028 = 73% āœ…


šŸ’°Costs: $45.90 - Cobb salad with bacon & chicken. With Eaton mess for dessert and a coke. Bealey Hotel


Subjective feeling out of 10 on:


Enjoyment: 8/10 - todayā€™s been another great day. šŸ‘

Fatigue: 4/10 - feeling great after a big lunch šŸ˜‹

Ease of terrain: 5/10


ā­ļøHighlights: started a little later as no real rush - plus the valley was going to be in shade - which I donā€™t like. The weather through Arthurā€™s Pass has been amazing šŸ¤©. stopping for lunch at the Bealey Hotel & chatting with Peter (šŸ‡³šŸ‡æ) before walking on to the hut.


šŸ”ļøChallenges: the section from Klondyke corner Campsite to the Bruce bridge was unmarked - not nice walking. So I made my way to the bridge on SH73 and crossed there instead of crossing the river.


šŸ’­Thoughts: the rain is coming!!! Not much I can do about it. Iā€™ll be at Hamilton Hut when it hits and will have to make a decision then. Either have a chilled day at the hut and wait it out or push on through.


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Day 32/64 šŸ„¾Te Araroa Trail - The South Island šŸ‡³šŸ‡æ

šŸ“Supported by ZOLEO @zoleolifeeurope #ChallengeWithZoleo


Arthurā€™s Pass to Rakaia River


ā„¹ļøStats: Thursday 1st February

Weather: blue skies & sunny ā˜€ļø

From: Bealey Hut

Start time: 7.25am

To: Hamilton Hut

End time: 2.45 pm

Accommodation: bottom bunk in a room for 10 people.

Terrain: really nice track, some rooty ups & downs a few streams to cross. Very nice walking.


šŸ„¾Km: 10.6

šŸ¦¶Steps: 13,566


Total Km: 2227/3028 = 73.5% āœ…


šŸ’°Costs: $0 šŸ„³


Subjective feeling out of 10 on:


Enjoyment: 8/10

Fatigue: 3/10

Ease of terrain: 5/10


ā­ļøHighlights: šŸ˜The views looking back at Arthurā€™s pass were stunning, lovely walk. Feeling very chilled and relaxed šŸ˜Ž Hamilton Hut is lovely šŸ„° also really packed with trampers. (Peter šŸ‡³šŸ‡æ, Curt šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡øšŸ‡³šŸ‡æ, BarbšŸ‡ØšŸ‡¦, Erika šŸ‡øšŸ‡Ŗ @erikahikes, Olia šŸ‡©šŸ‡Ŗ, Clem šŸ‡«šŸ‡·, Marcel šŸ‡©šŸ‡Ŗ, + others, but I canā€™t remember their names!) Good atmosphere. I also had a hot dinner which is rare for me. Wildneeness stew with mashed potato - delicious. šŸ˜‹


šŸ”ļøChallenges: none walking today. Until I tried to sleep - the snoring and farting šŸ’¤šŸ’Ø plus itā€™s super hot in here. You cant open the windows or else the sandflies get in.


šŸ’­Thoughts: the weather all changes tomorrow- rain - rain and more rain šŸŒ§ļø . so itā€™s going to be an early start tomorrow to so the next stretch and then I plan to hitch to Methven (and avoid a 24km road walk - which in the notes says ā€œTake extreme care, this road has a 100km/h speed limit, and drivers are often not expecting walkers.ā€)


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Day 33+34/64 šŸ„¾Te Araroa Trail - The South Island šŸ‡³šŸ‡æ


šŸ“Supported by ZOLEO @zoleolifeeurope #ChallengeWithZoleo


ā„¹ļøStats: Friday 2nd February & Saturday 3rd Feb (rest day)

Weather: cold rain all day šŸŒ§ļø

From: Hamilton Hut

Start time: 6.25am

To: Methven

End time: 4pm

Accommodation: the brown pub

Terrain: rocks, more rocks, water, mud, rivers, streams, 4wheel drive very rough track



šŸ„¾Km: 16

šŸ¦¶Steps: 20,383

šŸš—Ride share to Methven (van with 11 other hikers) Alec - Methven Shuttle / best to text!


Total Km: 2275/3028 = 75% āœ…


šŸ’°Costs: ride share $60

Accommodation $100 (2 nights)

Food resupply $101 - Friday

Food resupply $70 - Saturday

$331


Subjective feeling out of 10 on:


Enjoyment: 4/10 - I had to average it out - dropped to 2 and a high of 7/8 when warm and dry in the van

Fatigue: 3/10 - not tired - but the cold. šŸ„¶

Ease of terrain: 4/10


ā­ļøHighlights: Peter arranging the shuttle for us (Barb, Erika, Curt, & me) - we then picked up more hikers and got to catch up with destroyer again


šŸ”ļøChallenges: felt like I was going to die - it was so cold. šŸ„¶ lips went blue. Was not able to stop walking or else I would have been in trouble.


šŸ’­Thoughts: what a day! So glad to get warm again. Plus arranged for a shuttle for the Sunday to get to the next section!


Saturday was a total rest, and I didnā€™t do anything apart from lie in bed, FaceTime the family, sort out my gear and do social media šŸ„³

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Day 35/64 šŸ„¾Te Araroa Trail - The South Island šŸ‡³šŸ‡æ

šŸ“Supported by ZOLEO @zoleolifeeurope #ChallengeWithZoleo


Rākaia River to Rangitata River


ā„¹ļøStats: Sunday 4th February

Weather: sunny & windy šŸŒ¬ļø

From: Methven - shuttle to trail head

Start time: 8am collection by shuttle, 9.15 from trail head

To: Comyns Hut

End time: 2.30pm

Accommodation: mattress - top bunk

Terrain: easy track, 4WD, grassy. Really nice walking


šŸ„¾Km: 14.4

šŸ¦¶Steps: 18,406

šŸš™ to trail head - 2276km marker


Total Km: 2292/3028 = 76% āœ…


šŸ’°Costs: $60 shuttle to trailhead.


Subjective feeling out of 10 on:


Enjoyment: 7/10 - a really pleasant and beautiful day šŸ˜€

Fatigue: 3/10

Ease of terrain: 3/10 one of the easiest day on trail


ā­ļøHighlights: getting a bed at the hut. I felt for sure I was going to be camping. šŸ•ļø (which still would have been ok) but it does make life easier to stay in a hut.


šŸ”ļøChallenges: none


šŸ’­Thoughts: Iā€™ve got a rough plan for the next 2 days. I can either get the shuttle on the 6th at 4/5pm (if there is room - itā€™s full at the moment - but someone may not turn up). If I canā€™t get the shuttle, Iā€™ll walk another 3k down the road and stay at the lodge and then get a shuttle on the 7th at 3pm. So itā€™s a win/win for me whatever happens. šŸ‘


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