One of the things I really love about the Te Araroa trail is the constant variation. Today we were bound by the tides, first to cross the Horahora river, then to cross the Taiharuru river estuary, close to where they both meet the sea. Low tide wasn’t until 12 and we stayed just a couple km from the first river, so we had to wait around until almost 10 until the river crossing is possible, however we are used to getting moving around 7, so it took a little patience.
It rained a little, I think it was the first time I put on my rain gear, but it stopped before we got to the first river.
We hoped the first crossing would be about waist deep, I was pleasantly surprised that I managed to cross without getting my butt wet, I’m not sure if it’s just because it’s been dry lately and maybe the river is lower than usual.
After that there’s a road walk section that wasn’t too terrible.
We made good time getting to the estuary, which is less important to cross at low tide, but can’t be done if the tide comes in too much.
Crossing was a little mucky, but the water level was good. Then at the end there was mud. I lost one of my sandals in the mud and had to fish it out with my hand, so now my hand and both of my feet were covered with that horrible stinky black mud!
There’s no water past the mud, so I had to use my drinking water to try and clean up. Luckily I had a plastic bag that I was able to put my sandals into so the mud didn’t get all over my pack.
Of course after that the trail goes up Kauri mountain (hill) and the sun was shining bright, and I was sweating buckets again (the sun is so strong), but had less than a quarter of a liter of drinking water and there wasn’t a stream until the other side of the hill. I feel thirsty just writing about it.
We then hiked the whole 6 km of ocean beach, which then being high tide of course wasn’t easy.
Sadly the Te Wahara track is closed for trail construction, we got a lift and stayed with a trail angel in McLeod bay named Karen, we got hot showers and we stayed up a little late drinking wine and talking.
That puts us close the 377 km marker, but didn’t hike the last 6, so 30 km today.