Days 32 and 33
- john51648
- Nov 3, 2020
- 4 min read
Day 32 (28 October)
Rangiriri to a bit of grass in the Hakarimata Ranges (27km)
Well today I’m starting to feel like home is just around the corner and getting pretty excited about getting home and seeing Marie and the family. I did consider trying to get to Hamilton today but it would have been about 50km so just a bit to far.
Local knowledge does help though and knowing there is one clearing on the bush about half way along the Hakas gave me confidence I could camp there and then gave a reasonable day into Hamilton tomorrow.
The start of the day, whilst long, was not difficult as the trail follows the western river road and the stop banks all the way to Huntly. Having driven this road so many time’s as a shortcut to Auckland it was interesting to see it at a slower pace. It is interesting how much more you see when walking, for example not far into the walk there is a memorial in the middle of a paddock that I had never noticed. The area is rich in history having been the scene of the defining battles of the New Zealand Wars in 1863.
Alan and I arrived in Huntly late morning and decided that while we were on the western side of the river the walk over the Tainui Bridge and Subway for lunch was too tempting. I also decided to top up with water as the camp on the Hakas is dry with no steams or other water source. Allowing a couple of litres of water to drink due to the long climb and dinner and tea in the morning I left Huntly with about 4l of water which did make the pack pretty heavy.
About 5km south of Huntly the trail joins the Hakarimata track. This track a initially well formed with numerous stairs as it climbs about 350m. It then deteriorates to a tramping standard track and undulates along the ridge line. The tack is has large sections of tree roots which does mean you need to constantly concentrate on where you place your feet otherwise an injury is inevitable.
It took a little over two hours to get to the halfway clearing by which time I was ready to stop for the day and set up camp. Alan was carrying on to Ngaruawahia so we said our goodbyes here. It had been a great coupe of days walking with Alan and I wish him well for the rest of the TA.
The views from this clearing are fabulous, although I felt a little sad looking towards Hamilton and knowing I was so close but still one day away from seeing loved ones.
Just as I was setting up my tent it started raining and rained pretty much all night.
Day 33 (October 29)
Piece of grass in the Hakas to Home! (25km)
It really was a nice night to be in a tent, bucketed down with rain but I was snug and got a pretty good rest. There is something about being alone in the bush knowing there’s not another person within probably 5km and listening to the rain and wind. It really does make me feel part of the environment I’m so fortunate to be experiencing
I woke pretty early (must be excitement about getting home) and picked up. It had pretty much stopped raining but I did a wet pack, that is, packed everything except tent while in the tent.
Looking at yesterday’s view and it was largely fog over the Waikato.
I left my camp about 6.00am expecting it to take a bit over 2hours to the top of the stairs from Brownlea Ave. Excitement about being home was evident in that it only took me 1.5 hours.
Hayley and Leyton were coming up to meet me there and then Leyton planned on walking back to Hamilton with me. For those of you not from Hamilton the Brownlea stairs climb 350m to the summit of the Hakarimatas and have about 1400 stairs so a good work out and a very popular exercise place for people from Ngaruawahia and Hamilton.
Because I was early I set up my cooker and made a up of tea which the stream of people arriving as exercise seemed to find a bit unusual.
Hayley and Leyton arrived and it was a very happy and tearful reunion for all of us.
Then a walk down the 1400 stairs which my knees protested about, nothing changes. Hayley then went to work and Leyton and I commenced walking back to Hamilton which is only a bit over 20km.
The walk back to Hamilton follows the Te Awa cycle way and was a really nice walk just chatting away or Leyton and enjoying being home again.
Marie walked out from Hamilton and meet us on the outskirts so a really nice homecoming.
Staying at home is going to be test of my resolve. I can see how easy it would be to stay another day, then another, then another. The home comforts of hot shower, real towel, soft bed, food and clothing variety and obviously, being surrounded by your loved ones is pretty seductive!
Great to be with family again John. Cant beat the comforts of home.