tramping new zealand

October/November is the busiest period of my work year, so it’s possible to top up my bank account to keep me solvent over the summer. If you live in a tent and have a hut pass, expenses can be low. It also helped to have plenty of dehydrated food prepared, but unused, from winter.

Packing the car for potentially five weeks of travel was a pain, but it was a bright, sunny day as I headed out of Nelson. I needed a small test of my knee while carrying a pack, and the Venn diagram of an easiest start to the summer and places I’d not yet been indicated the Marlborough Sounds would be a good start.

Four hours with a pack climbing a 400 m saddle on a mountain bike track, followed by five hours on the flat over and back to Nydia Lodge, and then the four hours back to the car should strain the ligament adequately, without going too gung-ho first up.

After midwinter on the South Coast track, going from a standing start straight to 4th gear hadn’t worked out so well. The gradual load buildup last summer, after 12 months of rehab following my three Achilles tendon tears, was more what an ageing body needed.

Parts of the track reminded me of the old Abel Tasman coastal track, before they sent the bulldozer through. Water on one side, steep bush on the other. No one else was around.

Not my mountain biking preference with long sections of tree roots having deep holes on either side. Not rideable. The same goes for the rocky sections, where you would need to manhandle your bike and its luggage.

The campsite was perfect, perched above the water, with a tap. Sheltered. The jackpot of a big utility platform to sit and cook on.

Did I mention no one else was around?

Just the gentle lap of water not so far away. Bird song. A lovely view, with no civilisation to be seen.

Just a remorseless weka.

Perhaps it was lonely. It turned my discouragement about its proximity into a game, meaning I had to load my full caboodle back into my tent or pack, even when getting water was only 50 m away.

Eventually, it tired. I was that way myself. Should sleep well.