Day 393: National Park

Highlight:

Te Araroa follows the Round the Mountain track towards Whakapapaiti. There wera a few trampers along here and I can generally pick their intentions.

• Day walker - small bag & tramping boots
• Multi day - large pack (60-80L)
• Te Araroa - small pack (40-50L) & poles.

I said hi to one with a light pack, and ask if they were doing RTM? Yes, They asked if I was from Hamilton. Turns out it was Bridgett who I had meet last year at a couple of adventure races / rogaines.

I meet one more person and this time when I asked if they were doing RTM, they responded with TA. We had a quick chat as there was not much shade. He was doing sections and had just started from National Park. He recommend a backpackers and asked if I had a Durson tent. He also had the X-mid 2P. I was a little embarrassed, because the tent was not looking flash. I had rolled it up super quickly this morning it was wet, and it had a layer of dirt on it.

The track hit an intersection started to head down the mountain to Mangahuia campsite. It crossed a stream and with wet feet unavoidable, I carried my pack over before jumping in the first decent water hole on this trip.

Challenge:

I arrived in Wakapapa at the same time as a fast packer (who had just completed the Northern Circuit). He was heading to Palmerston North too, unlike me he would arrive later that same day. I walked up the road, only to see the cafe me and Trent had been to when we did Round the Mountain track (in 2017) was empty. I did a one 180° turn and walked to the chateau. There was a flag-y thing out the front indicated they do coffee.

Great.

I walked to the door next to this, scanned in and found this door locked. I walked further and around to the main entry and into where it looked like buffet breakfast was being served. I asked the font of house staff if I could get a coffee and even some food. They said that the lounge wasn't open and it wasn't going to be until later. Maybe 11 or 11:30.

Okay.

I was bamboozled. I had walked over 80km, I had walked for two full days. Pass other closed food establishments. Now I was somewhere, but it wasn't open to serve. I said down on a seat close to a power point. I needed to charge my phone, watch, power bank. Even if I couldn't get a coffee, a few minutes top up was going to be useful. (I hadn't been listening to anything for the pass 2 days and my watch only had 5% left). Even more confused, I seen coffee delivered to the table in front of me, I asked the staff if they can do coffee now? Yes they could always do coffee, just not the food.

Sweet! Large cappuccino please.

I rang Trent while I waited for the coffee. Hi hunny, my eyes teared up. How are you he asked? I'm good I said, not sure if he could hear the break in my voice as the challenge of the moment was expressed silently. I explained my blisters were only on my toe pads of both feet (but I was grateful there were none on the soles of my feet).

I would need another stop to dry tent, somewhere outdoors, and where I didn't look so rough.

Learning:

Summary: