Te Araroa, Day 93

In the morning, we attempt to hitch out of Hammer Springs. It's not the best place to catch a ride from, as most cars are already occupied, given it's a family vacation town. At 8:30, I call the woman who has the shuttle. Turns out she was just about to pass us. There are already three walkers inside, and there's still room for us. She drops us off at Boyle, and we begin the 10 km road walk to "Windy Point". At "Windy Point", I have mobile reception and I call the postal service in Wanaka to send my new backpack to Methven. My back hurts so much, and I hope the backpack that I ordered in October will work better for me. I could arrange everything over the phone and even pay for the postage that way. With business taken care of, we start walking the trail.

First, there's a very dry passage. It's a hot day, with the sun beating down relentlessly. My back hurts, and my backpack is far too heavy. I bought more dinners since I realized that I have more energy in the mountains when I eat two dinners. I'm thinking, trying to figure out how I could ease my load. I stop and distribute all the nuts that I have in the forest. Then I stuff as many protein bars as I can into my hip pouch. Still, the backpack is too heavy, and I struggle a lot. The path goes up and down in the forest, partly steep. It's no joy with back pain and that heavy load. 

I meet X again at Hope Halfway hut. He had been waiting there for about an hour as md was wondering what happened. 
I unpack one of my heavier dinners and eat it just there, before moving on. 

Walking the road to "windy point":

Bridge at the beginning of the trail:

View out of the forest climb:

After Hope Halfway hut the trail mainly stays in the valley. It is dry here. The bushes around me are thorn bushes.

Approaching Hope Halfway hut:

Valley with thorn bushes:

And one more bridge to cross:

After about 9 hrs since I started from Boyle, I reach Hope Kiwi Lodge, which is just another hut and set up my tent. The sandflies are a nuisance. I eat two dinners while trying not to be eaten by sandflies at the same time and then enjoy a nice sunset.