“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can”
Frida Kahlo
Day 38 to 40
- Day 38 – Ōngarue to Taumarunui ; 30 km
- Day 39 – Taumarunui to Tongariro Forest ; 38 km
- Day 40 – Tongariro Forest to Tongariro ; 23 km
Total hiked: 1113 km
I’m back on the road baby.
Well for 26 kilometres to Taumarunui and then 27 kilometres into Owhango. Though I usually dislike road walking for the constant feet pain, sun reflection, lack of shelter and monotony. I have come to find one positive in it! It usually leads to civilisation; where there is food 🙂 On this occasion to a lemonade scone – yummy!
‘The trail always provides’ is a common saying you hear from thru hikers when you ask how they managed a tricky situation and this was the case for me on leaving Taumarunui. My reservations about solo river crossings were at there highest after my last encounter, so desperately I wanted to find someone to complete my next crossing with in the 42 Traverse and Waione-Cokers Track.
Very fortunately I was joined by fellow SOBO hikers Ciara and Max! Not only did they provide safety for the river crossings, they were also great company, had top notch book recommendations and were good at finding wild camping spots.
Seeing them divide up their pack load, alternate with camp tasks of pitching the tent while the other collected water, discussing trail routes and making accommodation decisions I found myself looking forward to when I would be able to share this trail experience with someone.
While I have for the most part really enjoyed the time to myself and how far physically and mentally I have grown on this journey, there are definite moments that would have been lovely to share. And that time is coming!
Due to lockdown I was delayed for parts of the trail which has meant that my planned South Island hiking buddy is now also my Tararua Ranges and Wellington region hiking buddy 🙂 He is the Han Solo to my Chewbacca, Harry to my Ron, Dion to my Cher and more topically Samwise to my Frodo. Well if I’m being honest I resonated more with Gollum in those movies but who doesn’t want Samwise Gamgee around, he’s the best!
So the days of always trotting solo are nearing there end… well not immediately. Sadly Ciara and Max did leave after the 42 Traverse & Waione-Cokers Track to go canoeing. However, my dad is kindly going to paddle the Whanganui River with me which I’m really looking forward to and maybe I’ll meet other trail walkers on my trot to Palmy. But you get the idea. I best soak up the me time while I have it; listen to all the Taytay, eat all the dry noodles, chat aloud constantly… because when my hiking buddy arrives things might change. I mean I hope the food improves and we may have second breakfast and elevenses but there will still be just as much Taytay 😛
Oh and before I forget the river crossings went great! No drama. No one fell in. No one got swept away. No one cried while floating their pack across the river with their boyfriend on the cellphone in the pack on loud speaker (not that I’ve ever done that). Everything went swimmingly. Except us – which is important!
On leaving the 42 Traverse & Waione-Cokers Track and waving goodbye to my company, I trotted through the Teporere Redoubt and was awarded glimpses of the central plateau.
With views of the mountains and trail tomorrow I don’t know if this gets any better 🙂
Happy trotting everyone!
GC Chronicles 
What a wonderful read, thank you and the pictures/views so delightful
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