Te Araroa, Day 41

Today, I walk the first 3 km through town and along a road until I reach a small 3 km track that leads to the main section, the Mangaokewa River Track. After the main track, there will be a 1 km walk on a gravel road to reach a small piece of land that a farmer provides for people to set up their tents. There is a long-drop toilet and a small shelter too.

The Mangaokewa River Track requires very careful walking, up and down along the river. The path is narrow most of the time, making it impossible to put both feet next to each other, with the left side having a steep drop. It is rarely even, and one has to walk on a 45-degree angle often. Of course, there is mud and water involved, but nothing like what we encountered at the Pirongia Mountains.

The land we walk on has private owners, so, as usual, there is a lot of fence climbing involved. At some point, I see a skull and smile, as I ponder if I will ever get out of this challenging trail.
Soon, I meet a Japanese woman again (Kimoko) whom we had encountered a while ago at Nikau Bay. It's nice to catch up with her again.

I am very tired when I arrive at the tent site. I'm glad I started early, so I can choose a nice spot at the outskirts of the place. Some more people arrive later. At this site, we are surrounded by sheep. Seemingly observing the tents and us people, they have a lot to talk about. Only when everyone is in their tents to sleep does the conversation of the sheep come to a halt.

Tomorrow will be another long day. There are 38 km to walk on roads, to get to the start of the "Timber trail". Seemingly this is a very famous Mountain bike trail in New Zealand and so we are scheduled to do those 85 km through rain forest by using mountain bikes.