Oh, a fun day was coming up. A notorious day from Pakiri to The Dome Cafe. In the TA WhatsApp groups the messages from hikers were a lot of people have done it, but almost everyone regretted it. However last time I started slightly further (yes it was incredibly tough) but did a 40km day. So the upcoming 26km didn’t scare me.
I woke up early and why not start? So I packed up and was the second person to leave camp.
From the 5 km road, you can see the hills surrounding you and you see the one you have to climb although you don’t see the peak. The trail was of course straight up with a bit of slippery mud. Lovely combination that was definitely not here in the dry summer of 2019/2020. But mud is fun and I’m not afraid of sweat. So I walked, sweat, and slipped and passed many hikers who started already 300m up the hill. Yeah 💪
At the peak, I and some of the other hikers took a break. Which meant we all cooled down very quickly. They started a little bit earlier, however this Dutchie passed them on the downhill! So I felt very confident. The final 500m to the road was unexpectedly difficult. But just before we hit the road a truly magical moment with a cooler filled with drinks for TA hikers. What a gift. Other hikers caught up with me and were equally ecstatic.
After this, we hit the road and what was a slight discomfort in my left ankle became painful with every step. Not good. But my legs were too muddy so I couldn’t tape my ankle to support it. The trial notes described a house on the road where you could refill your water. So I walked to the house and asked if I could clean my feet. Of course and after asking where I am from, he excitedly exclaimed that his wife is Dutch too.
Jasmijn was absolutely lovely and interesting to hear a Dutch perspective on living a long time in New Zealand. She also lived for a few years in the Netherlands with her family. We chatted for almost two hours with a cup of tea and snacks (which I mainly ate).
At some point, I had to continue. With tape around my ankle, it felt better. I wasn’t scared of Dome Forest. I remember it as relatively easy.
Yup
Not this time
Again so slippery. Almost every step causes your foot to slide. After 20km it becomes really exhausted, however, the surrounding is absolutely beautiful despite the slippery terrain and the lateness. The last hour became more challenging, but there was no point in getting my mind in a negative state. It is what it is and with limited water left, no other option but to finish the hike and see the large bunch of hikers.
I arrived second to last on the camp spot. Quiet the achievement with 16 hikers. It was almost getting dark and the incredible kind lady who lives nearby is the water supplier. Her kids were really excited by the large numbers and brought me flowers to put in my hair.
Unfortunately no shower and I ate my dinner in the dark. But no regrets about spending a long break with Jasmijn. Because people make the trail amazing. Children who bring you flowers, an unexpected treat of a soda on the trail, or a cup of tea. A tough but rewarding!
Zilla-in-the-wild 