Te Araroa Trail – Day 89

Sunday February 4, 2024
Distance/ Total: 17.8 km / 11.1 mi

There was a nice cold wind all night up on the ridgeline where I camped. It rained into the evening and even alerted some on the tent. I stayed nice and warm in the sleeping bad though and had a great nights sleep.

I struggled getting around in the morning. I didn’t want to get out of my warm sleeping bag. I eventually got going and started down the trail about 7:20am.

The trail followed the ridgeline and dropped slightly into a saddle before beginning a climb up to Beeby Knob. I tried walking slowly to keep from overheating in my rain jacket (to block the wind) but eventually had to take it off before reaching the top.

Once at the top the trail turned onto a 4WD road and began a descent toward highway 63. The walk down was pretty nice and had great views of the valley below. I stopped part way down in a spot protected from the wind and ate my breakfast.

It was a short walk from there to the highway and walked past an area currently being cut for lumber.

The 8km walk down highway 63 got my plantar fasciitis acting up again. It definitely seems to be worse when I’m road walking. I reached St. Arnaud’s Alpine Lodge about 12:30 and ordered a large pizza for lunch. It was one of the better pizzas I’ve had in New Zealand.

After lunch I did my grocery shopping and checked in to the lodge about 2:00. After a shower, starting a load of laundry, and settling into my bunk, I felt much better. I later repacked my food resupply and got everything ready for my next section through the Nelson Lakes.

Several of the hikers met for dinner at 6:30 and we enjoyed some great food and conversation. After dinner we all retired to our rooms and I spent some time uploading my blogs. All caught up I headed to bed about 10:00pm. I was up “late” tonight.