Day 53: A Sunny Day For A Group Walk

Dec 26, 2016 | 9 comments

December 26th
Koitiata Campground(873.4)-Mount Lee Reserve Campground(896.2)
Mileage: 22.3mi/35.9km
Campsite Elevation: 393ft/120m

Elevation chart courtesy of Guthook Hikes Te Araroa App.

I was awake pretty early and energized to hike, but we had agreed on a 7:30am leave time, which became 7:45am. My solo self is pushing hard to do things at my own rhythm, and I’ve been fighting the resistance knowing it’s just pent up remnants of so much time on a group schedule lately. Although both yesterday and today, I would have probably landed in the same places, I had the urge to do it independently my own way and am craving some of that solo time. My challenge for myself thus far on the Te Araroa has been to not flee the more relaxed approach and sometimes larger group setting. I like to challenge myself in new ways on trails, and I’ve done the physical endurance solo thing plenty of times. I know there is something to be said for taking the more relaxed approach and sharing the experience with others, but I think I need some solo time for at least a day to reset. I’ve never spent this much time in group settings in my life! I will say that it is possible to break this pattern if anyone is looking for a more solo TA hike, but it is difficult to do that and camp legally. It seems to be the limited camping options that put people in the same campsites, but if you hike your own schedule, you could probably hike solo. 

As for today, I walked with a great group of five others (Becky, Frits, Ned, Jacob, and Brittney) for the day. It started off with some wooded hiking and then an hour or so on a black sand beach. We’re back on the west coast for the first time since the first week of the hike!

The day went very smoothly, and I was pleasantly surprised that most of the day was on forest roads. I had heard this whole section was road walking, but gravel forest roads are more like wide trails, so it was great!

The sun was pretty intense today, and I used the umbrella most of the day to stay cool. Jacob and Brittney carry a tarp that can be used for shade and it came in handy for our lunch along the road. The woman that lived where we stopped even came out and told us many hikers stop there for a break and that we could refill our water at her house. People are so nice through this section!

Lunch with tents laid out to dry from almost nightly condensation out here.

The road changed to paved as we headed through the town of Bulls. With the heat, we all had our hopes set on something refreshing in town. Most of us landed at McDonalds for a brief break of wifi and milkshakes before hiking out. It was two hours of paved walking on a more remote road to the campground for the night.

Walking through the town of Bulls.

I actually did enjoy today, and didn’t use my headphones as there was plenty of conversation when I was in the mood. I got some extended one on one with each Brittany (along the beach) and Ned (in the evening) that were nice bookends to the day and helped to pass the time. 

We got to camp at 5:45pm, a nice small free park called Mount Lees Reserve. It is open to camping with toilets, water, and picnic tables. A bit later, Suvi, Bill, and Emily arrived, so it is the same 9 camped together as last night. The one drawback is that it also allows vans to park in the small parking area by the camping to sleep overnight. There are six vans parked next to us with lots of socializing, but now that it’s after 10pm, they seem to be turning in for the night. Lots of commotion to and from the bathroom and closing car doors. Ah, nature. This section goes through many small towns, so camping options are somewhat limited, and this seemed to be the one good option for today before walking into the town of Fielding. 

Tomorrow is another day of road walking through a couple towns. Unless something changes overnight, I think I might take the day to hike solo just to get a much needed reset. I’m excited about that possibility!

9 Comments

  1. Warren
    Warren on December 26, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    That Black Sand beach looked pretty cool. Did you see any surfers?

    • Bob marlos
      Bob marlos on December 26, 2016 at 9:33 pm

      That coast is way too dangerous..surfers goes on the east coast where the weed is growing…

    • Wired
      Wired on December 26, 2016 at 11:53 pm

      It was calm waters and a deserted beach.

  2. David G
    David G on December 26, 2016 at 5:01 pm

    Erin Wellington looks like it has allot of interesting things to see. Are you planning on spending more than a day there? The movie The Frighteners was filmed there by LOTR director Peter Jackson. I bet Becky has seen it 🙂

    • Wired
      Wired on December 26, 2016 at 11:55 pm

      I’ll have to ask her. The current plan is a zero, but it is flexible. Plus, with my friend there, I may just go back there to fly out after the trail so I can spend more time. Becky has a 1yr working visa and plenty of time to return after the hike.

  3. Where's Chris?
    Where's Chris? on December 27, 2016 at 6:17 am

    For years I’ve followed your blogs, inspired by your dedication and determination, fearlessness and independence. I’ve also been inspired by your ability to adjust and try new things. While personal issues dictats no backpacking for me … you know they don’t hold me back! When you get back to Portland, you are officially invited to go out for a two-night trip in the new Hymer Aktiv I bought that I refer to as the AdventureVan. That should provide a new experience for you, day hiking and road-trip exploring by day, boon-docking in style at night. You can be the door closer (haha!) or even sleep in your tent if you wish. Either way, I love silent driving and hiking after no more than an hour of catching up. See ya this summer!!

    • Wired
      Wired on December 27, 2016 at 8:33 am

      Oh that will be so awesome Chris! I’ve been seeing a ton of those around here and I could totally see that type of travel being quite attractive and enticing as well. The other night with the six vans, one of the couples I was with mentioned their thoughts of doing that instead of the TA Ana were asking many questions. It’s a mobile tent with plenty of charging:)

      • Where's Chris?
        Where's Chris? on December 27, 2016 at 9:07 am

        The Aktiv is equpped with lots of USB and 110AC outlets, as well as an audio/video setup I’m sure you’ll be able to master for watching shows! It is so ‘Wired’ compatible, and has a large solar setup in case you put a drag on the house batteries!

        • Wired
          Wired on December 29, 2016 at 9:35 am

          I may never thru-hike again!

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