Te Araroa 14/01/25

Day 115, Manuka Hut to Lake Camp (2369)

It rained a bit overnight, not much but enough to ensure that my feet got wet in the grass. I left my insoles in the hut and walked all day only noticing when I took my shoes off this evening.

Looking back to Manuka Hut 

A long day (32k) but gentle ascents and descents, except the last bit, which made it a very pleasant days walk.

Rough track near the Manuka River

The trail was on rough tracks, a bit of gravel road and a mainly good path across wide moorland between the hills. Again very much like Scotland.

Misty hills 

Towards Lake Emily

I'm not sure what happened to Pete and Dean, I expected them to catch me up but they never appeared. Etienne and Pauline who left the hut last caught up with me and didn't pass them, a minor mystery

Lake Emily 

The wide open spaces were beautiful but the pictures don't look very exciting.

Up towards Paddle Hill Creek

Lake Clearwater 

The last little bit to the road needed a river crossing that was impassable so I thought I would try to skirt round it but only succeeded in tearing lumps out of myself on the thorn bushes.

The path keeps on towards the Potts River

A change of plan then and I tried going straight up to the road with similar problems but managed on the second attempt.

Potts River running into the huge Rangitata River 

There is a long road bypass to get round the Rangitata River and I had hoped to get a lift to Geraldine tonight but there was almost no traffic on the road but I did get a lift to Lake Clearwater where I met Etienne and Pauline at the side of the road trying to get further.

I walked to the campsite but nothing else was on the road so I decided to camp for the night and try again tomorrow.

Te Araroa 13/01/26

Day 114, Comyns Hut to Manuka Hut (2337)

It was a beautiful starry night with the Milky Way clearly visible. The morning was just as good but the temperature had dropped considerably.

Comyns Hut in the morning 

The trail went up the Hakatere River and I mean exactly that, numerous crossings to short walks on either side and sometimes in the river itself.

The Hakatere river/path

Around the rocks

The water level was reasonable and I only got the bottom of my shorts wet occasionally. My feet did loose all feeing in the cold water but at least the sun warmed the top of my body.

At last away from the river bed

Higher up the river divided and became smaller and easier to cross. The valley also opened up and the path was able to keep clear of the river as it climbed to the Clent Hills Saddle (1480 meters).

Lunch at the saddle

A lunch stop on top in the sunshine with fantastic views in both directions, what could be better?

Big scree slope to cross

The way down was across some big scree slopes before descending rough grass with spiky bushes and plants that covered the path tearing at my legs and disguising the holes and slippery bits, I only landed on my backside once though.

And another one 

Across the Valley 

On the valley floor 

It was a long descent to reach the Swin River flats then past Seagull and Manuka lakes before a short climb to Manuka Hut, Six beds and six of us: Me, Pete, Dean, Pauline, Etienne and Baz the last three are French.

Track on the level valley 

Up towards Manuka Hut 

Manuka Hut 

Hard work, especially up the river but it was a great days walk.



Te Araroa 12/01/26

Day 113, (Methven) Glenrock Stream to Comyns Hut (2316)

It was a bright clear morning when we went to the café to meet a friend of Pete's who had offered to give all three of us a lift up to the start of the trail at Glenrock Stream.

Pete's friend Holly and partner

It was at least an hours drive so it was very generous of her to do it.Onwards and upwards by the stream until reaching a 4wd track that took us all the way to the hut.

Looking back to the Rakaia River from Turtons Saddle 

There were some excellent views back to the Rakaia River which was much higher today after yesterday's 200mm of rain over the mountains.

Dean (front) and Pete at the A frame hut 

It was a very Scottish walk over open hills to the top of the pass (1030 meters) and an A frame hut, perfect for lunch.

Path towards Turtons Stream 

Turtons Stream 

Down by Turtons Stream between 2000 meter hills and all too soon Comyns Hut came into view.

Above Turtons Stream 

A rough old hut made of Dexion and corrugated iron and I thought it may be better to camp, but in the end decided to stay in the hut with Pete and Dean.

Comyns Hut

It was a good sunny afternoon but quite windy so the hut was probably best.

View from the hut 

The shuttle bus took more walkers to the trail head later in the morning and we finished the day with four people in the hut, it has eight beds, and five camping outside.

Te Araroa 11/01/26

Day 112, Powerhouse Lodge to Methven

Lake Coleridge Billiards and Social Club was open last night and we were invited up by our hosts. I think the whole population of Lake Coleridge was there, including children. A good evening.

Powerhouse Lodge 

The rain didn't arrive until the morning when Pete, Dean and Hayden, another young Kiwi, got the Shuttle to Methven.

The Brown Pub 

The Rakaia River is not safe to cross so part of the trail is this bypass, it also allowed me to restock and have a days rest away from the weather.

Methven cross roads

The serious rain and wind was all on the west side of the mountains and by the time we arrived in Methven the sun was shining, in fact it got unbearably hot by the middle of the day until a thunderstorm arrived and it became pleasant again.

After the thunderstorm 

Methven is a ski resort so not very busy at this time of year. There are some hot pools here but I didn't visit, it would have been an anticlimax after the little one in the hills.

Hotel balcony

I stayed at The Brown Pub where I found the kilted American 'sky eyes' who was also waiting out the weather. I also met up with Charlie and Saskia again which surprised me as I thought they were several days ahead.

Running repairs

The hotel is a fine old building with a covered balcony at the front overlooking the main cross roads in the center of the town and after doing my shopping I sat there for a while sewing up various rips, tears and holes in my rucksack. I probably should have bought a new one for the trip.

Another Irish Pub

I decided to eat at the Irish Pub as it seemed to have a good menu, it's also a bit of a theme for this walk!

Te Araroa 10/01/26

 Day 111, Harper Road Campsite to Powerhouse Lodge (2300)

It was a windy night but the campsite was very quiet and it only rained a little in the morning.

Another morning rainbow 

Todays walk was mainly on a gravel road that wound it's way through the hills by Lake Coleridge, it was very windy but at least it was behind me and there was no more rain.

Lower hills to the south 

A very different walk from the last few days but it was really good to be walking on level ground wit nice views of the hills in front.

Looking back

Lake Selfe

Behind me it was interesting to watch the clouds building over the mountains bringing the forecast storm.

Merinos

Lake Constance 

It was a thirty kilometer walk again today but it went quickly and I soon turned off the road to follow a path around the bottom of the lake, slightly tricky in places as the water level was very high forcing me to scramble up through spiky bushes to avoid the flooded bits of the path.

Lake Constance 

Hydro pipes descending from the lake

Powerhouse Lodge is an excellent place to stay, camping, hostel or rooms with the run of the building which has a good kitchen and relaxing areas.

Hydro plant 

It also has the largest TA marker 

The largest TA marker in New Zealand