tramping new zealand

The stream water was okay, and the campsite was not on an excessive slope.

I arrived after 7 pm the previous night, and by the time I’d set up my tent, cooked my dinner, and gathered some water, it was already 10 pm.

Being so far south, around 45° south, it was still quite light when I moved into my tent to escape midges.

A late night, but I still awoke just after 5 am. Not a cloud above, but I picked out a tiny one on the horizon.

As predicted, it was almost exactly 2 hours to the car. Then it took a while to open and close the gates, I think there were six of them.

You might ask if it’s worth scooting around those hills.

Livestock created some entertainment. Sheep seemed smarter than the cattle, which wanted to travel parallel rather than perpendicular to my route.

Camping in the middle of nowhere is usually fun, and I liked my spot. I wasn’t even put off with a visit from a local pig that made noises for a time, at least until I dropped off to sleep.

Once at the car, I realised my tiredness and decided against more walking for the day. I’d put in 12 km at that point, and it was not even 10 am.

A couple of nights on the flat was advisable, although I planned to have a 1100m climb the next day to the new Leaning Lodge, which had been rebuilt since I was there two years ago.

Finally, a 24° C summer day as I drove to Ranfurly, where I knew there was a reasonable campsite.

I could cope with that.