Te Araroa Trail to National Park
We made a bit of a trail deviation to National Park today due to the weather and accommodation options.
It was going to pour down with rain today. The Mangatepopo DOC hut was fully booked, and no-one fancied walking a 27km day over the Tongariro crossing (with an elevation of 1500m) then to Whakapapa, with a 14kg pack in the rain.
Instead we hitched to National Park. Thanks to local guy TJ for being our latest trail angel.
We checked into the YHA National Park, had a rest day and dried our gear. I made us a booking to do the Tongariro crossing the traditional way, tomorrow instead (we’ll just take day packs). This will be the 3rd time this year I’ve been up!
Today I got an essential admin task done – organising a replacement rucksack. Colin & Amy at Trek n Travel in Hamilton, who I bought my rucksack from, were superstars. They contacted their supplier to get me a new one sent to Whanganui YHA, where I will pick it up!! Fab service as always.
Then a second mini-disaster struck.. the strap broke on my Xero sandals – my ultralight camp shoes. Again I took photos of the damage and emailed Xero in Aussie to organise a replacement. In the meantime I darned them using a sewing kit care of from the YHA in National Park.
The rest of the day was spent eating and washing clothes. Fingers crossed for a fine weather day tomorrow.