Te Araroa: The Northern Forests Part 1

25.10.2019 Day 5 (15km)

My feet are decomposing, at least that’s what it looks like. My eight blisters didn’t have time to breathe of the beach so the skin has become puckered and tender. Fortunately, we only had road walking today. My body is still sore but at least there were things to occupy my attention and no sand. Not being constantly assaulted by heavy winds was also a blessing. 

I’m honestly a bit worried about my feet. I need them to callous over and at times the pain is almost unbearable. I feel like I’m not enjoying the hike as much as I should be because each step is agonizing. Perhaps getting away from the beach and road will help, as well as the shorter day. I’ve actually had time to elevate my feet and ice them. 

As far as scenery goes, it was predominantly farmland and pasures rolling off to the edge of distant forests. New Zealand has such tranquil beauty. 

Day’s Highlights: NO SAND! The ice on my feet feels amazing!

26.10.2019 Day 6 (21km)

Today was a great day! After half a day of rest and thoroughly icing my feet yesterday, I felt ready to take on the world. Most of the hike consisted of road walking, though a good portion was on unsealed rural roads, which are heaps easier on my feet. Redback, an Aussie woman who is a trail champ, having completed multiple through hikes before, and Nicole powered on ahead; while Ben and I took it a bit slower. 

We laughed the day away, the sun guiding our way deeper into the green countryside. A group of calves watched us from the fenceline. Ben offered them a handful of grass and after that they were in love, following us along our route until they could go no further, and bellowing out farewells. 

Though my feet were still sore and a ninth blister came to claim its place, they fared far better than along the beach. 

Day’s Highlights: I really can do this hike!

27.10.2019 Day 7 (17km)

Exhausting: that’s what today was. I’m beaten, battered, and feel like I hardly escaped the forest with my life. It was bloody intense! Raetea Forest was beautiful with its mossy ferns, hanging vines, and winding roots; however, I’ve never felt energy like I did in its borders. I felt like I didn’t belong there, like the forest was angry with the human presence and would do anything in its power to destroy it. 

Despite the recent run of dry weather, the mud was shin deep in places. I did my best to avoid the mushiest bits, as they often threatened to pull off my shoes. Overall I fell four times, though none of them seriously injured me. Then we ran out of water 8km from the edge. The stream on the other side was the sweetest water I have ever tasted…not really, but it felt like it at the time. 

We were reunited with Tobi and Reback at camp, arriving shortly before sundown. I cooled my feet in the river, washing the caked mud from my legs. It was that night that I discovered a nemesis almost as bad as mozzies…the sandfly. I got about fifty to sixty bites within the first fifteen minutes at camp. Repellent is now on my shopping list for the next resupply. 

Day’s Highlights: WATER, and glad to have Raetea behind me. 

28.10.2019 Day 8 (20km)

The longest hike I ever did before this was a six day, such a strange realization on day eight of this five month endeavor. It was a good day, with lots of uphill, which feels better on my feet. There was a bit of road walking and a nice stop at a dairy where I purchased a much needed coffee. The farmlands pushed up against the mountains, where our path led us in the early afternoon. 

Tomorrow we are to walk three kilometers IN a river. I’m not sure how I feel about it, only because I worry that wet feet will result in more blisters. I’m really ok with nine, ten just seems like overkill. 

It’s hard to believe I’ll be doing this for five months, and yet somehow it already feels natural. 

Day’s Highlights: No new blisters, had a nice heart to heart with Tobi