Roger's Walkabout : Te Araroa 12/02/26

Day 144,Merrivale Hut to camp in old quarry (2951)

It was a beautiful morning but very damp at tent level. The forecast was for good weather today but clouding over with some rain for tomorrow.

The long gravel road

I set off with a rather soggy tent for the long trudge up the gravel road to the start of the Longwood Track.

Into eucalyptus woods

It was a bit different today as the first part was through Eucalyptus trees which made an interesting change.

Beechwoods again

The Longwood Track then started up through the beech woods. As expected steep, roots and mud. The mud was only in short sections and there was nothing too deep, the worst is to come tomorrow!

On the top

I did have a mishap when I slipped climbing up from a boggy hole and all my weight went onto the top of my walking pole and against the bank breaking the pole just below the handle.

Bluff hill in the far distance

Out of the trees and onto Bald Hill (805), where there is a big radio repeater and I found a nice spot for lunch and pole repairs.

They don't want drivers going up to the radio masts

There was a rather hazy view from the top of Stewart Island and the coast all the way to Bluff, it's getting closer.

Walking pole repairs

I managed to fix the pole with two tent pegs, a bandage and some repair tape before the descent to the quarry on the gravel access road.

Camp at the side of the old quarry

Only a short day as there were already eight people headed for Martins Hut which was my original plan.

Path through the woods

Martins Hut only has four beds and space outside for about two tents and ad I'm slower than most of the youngsters it would have been full by the time I got there.