The next section was along a gravel road to Lake Coleridge, I think 28k, where there is only very expensive accommodation, and the trail dead ends at the Rakaia river, which is considered a hazard zone and the trail notes say not to attempt crossing. The river itself is big and often split into sections, but the flood zone around it makes it several kilometers wide and it can rise very quickly and take a long time to cross. What’s more most of the land around it is private so where you can cross is limited and it’s hard to tell what’s on the other side if you havent researches it. Holger was keen to try crossing it. I was not. The recommended way to get around is to take a shuttle or hitch. We hadn’t arranged a shuttle, so we were thinking of going to lake Coleridge town and trying to hitch from there.
We probably walked 4k when a van came down the road and we stuck out our thumbs, there was almost no traffic. He was just shuttling NOBO hikers to the trail we just came from and offered us a ride to Methven! The guy who gave us a lift was the owner of the campground in Methven, and they had private cabins for $25 NZD pp, so we all got cabins. Suddenly a long walk on a gravel road became a quick ride and hanging out in town. Holger and I grabbed lunch at the Indian place (mmm vindaloo). We got some supplies and had a couple beers and planned the next sections.
Holger decided to skip the next section, he wasn’t happy with all of the annoying shuttles and arrangements around the rivers and I can’t say I blame him. I decided to carry on though, he said he’d take some half days and do some fishing and I’d catch him soon.