Takitimu Mountains

Weight adjusted we are trying another four day expedition. Peewee is heading into the Takitimu Mountains. Entry is through the Mount Linton Station, Peewee was confronted with conflicting information. Everywhere he looked there was a different distance, route and time. Oh well all we could do was get going and be prepared for what would be. The DoC sign at the beginning of the track said 19 km, great we could cut that out by early afternoon. This was good because the weather was overcast and looking like rain.

Peewee quickly struck up conversation with two walkers from Costa Rica and Virginia, USA. We had walked through a paddock of Angus heifers. Now these guys are pretty black. The girls were concerned that these beasts were the bulls they had heard tales about. Peewee assured them ,that these were just babies!

After 33km of up and up, down and up Peewee was glad to curl up in the tent at Telford campsite. It was to be an early start with a long ridge walk, 624 metres up! It was ideal weather, cloudy with just a little wind. The downside being that when Peewee reached the summit instead of being rewarded with views across to Rakiura and Bluff Hill we got to see the inside of a rain cloud! Then it was a steep descent to Lower Wairaki hut.

The next morning we were heading for Aparima Hut. Peeweee enjoyed the mild temperatures as he travelled through the forest. The early morning mist hung in the trees. As we came out on to the tussocklands we could see the the hut in the distance. Before crossing the bridge over the Aparima 

bridge Peewee was lucky enough to see skinks skittering across his path and then galaxid in the river.

Southland tussocklands and beech forest

Crossing the headwaters of the Aparima 

Tomorrow’s walk

As the weather was good and the travelling fast we decided after an hours rest and a lack of water at the hut made Peewee decide to push on. We found a great little campsite a couple of hours on and pitched the tent. Peewee was not keen to spend too long outside as the sandflies were pretty diabolical. Peewee was then treated to chest high tussock. Good thing he is good at jumping so he could find the next track marker!

We appreciated being a few hours ahead the next day as Peewee had another 220 metre climb before we made it to Princhester saddle. It was a case of the never ending ridge. Everytime we thought we were at the top it kept giving. And if Peewee thought the going up was never ending going down was the longest 2.5 km that he had ever done! It might have been 2.5 km as the crow, or should I say Karearea flys but not ground distance. The track was super muddy, and not at aexactly well maintained. Luckily it had been a dry week and we avoided the worst of the mud and the ground trail was pretty obvious.

Coming out Prichester Rd after a wash and quick change of clothes at the Lower Princhester hut

The short ridge tussock. We saw a four Karearea wheeling in the sky close to here.

The Longwoods

Peewee has returned to Southland to fill in the gaps. These are two sections we missed as we travelled north.

Our first adventure was a brisk day walk through Island Bush and Woodlaw Forest. Peewee was dropped off early in the morning by his support crew. It was going to be another 25km day so he would be finished mid afternoon. Peeweee is meeting more walkers who have taken on the TA challenge.

Thankfully most of the day was mostly in Peewee’s favourite place, the forest. Southland was turning on a summers day and it was hot!

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Views over Southland

Looking north to the Takitimu Mountains

A cool lunch spot

Tekapo here we come

The day dawned cloudy and cooler after a nights rain. Peewee was all set for a cycling adventure. Our main reason is because there was a 42 km hike along the canals that needed to be completed in one day! Needless to say that is a long way with a heavy pack in the South Canterbury heat.

The cycle of choice is a electric bike. Another first for  Peewee.  We rocked up early at Cycle Tours to collect our bikes and drop of our packs.

The Te Araroa route follows the Alps to Ocean cycle trail. There was a fast section over the Pukaki Flats with several rabbit proof gates. Then a short but steep climb on to the Tekapo B power station. There is were we first appreciated the electric bike. Yes Peewee did have to pedal but the electric motor meant you did not arrive at the top puffed.

Twizel

Peewee spent a few days living the high life in Twizel at Homestead Lodge Bed and Breakfast. After checking out the  Black silts in the town centre Peewee enjoyed a hot shower, and a chocolate on the pillow.

 Peewee’s hosts Jane and Peter made sure there was access to a great library and we were able to clean our gear. The hot weather is taking a toll and we needed time to think. Weight is becoming an issue.  There has been no improvement in Peewee’s ability to carry weight on a dodgy back.  We have decided to bike the 60 km to Tekapo. 

Queenstown to Arrowtown

The day dawned cloudy and windy. The norwester funnelled down the lake. The original plan when Peewee left the hostel was to walk to Frankton and catch a 🚌. The walk to Frankton was really nice along the side of the lake especially once we turned the corner into Frankton Arm. On reaching the bus stop we decided nah we can walk this😜. So after dropping some stove spare fuel with the lovely Christie to pass on we headed up the Queenstown trail. It looked shorter than the official walk, and avoided the road walking that Peewee does not enjoy. All was sweet... we had it sorted. We walked past the events centre and through Frankton shopping complex. Peewee discovered he has a sensitive nose as we passed by the water treatment ponds. We stopped just past the Shotover bridge to slap on some sunscreen as the weather had cleared. 

Then it was on to the Edith Carell bridge to watch the jet boats. Peewee thought cool 😎 only another 13 kms to go, we will have that cut out in three or four hours. As we continued the weather continued to clear and little did we know this was the last time Peewee would see water until Arrowtown. It was pleasant mouching along. A few cyclists passed us as we sauntered through subdivisions and along grass verges. It just kept getting hotter, then there was the steep but short climb into Millbrook. To say the least Peewee was pretty parched. There was still another 5 km to Arrowtown. 

On arrival in Arrowtown Peewee could have drunk the place dry! So after stopping for some water and a 2 litre bottle of lemonade Peewee headed of to the campground ⛺️ to make his bed for the night.

Queenstown Bound

The trip out from the Greenstone Hut had Peewee in heaven. We woke to a showery morning . Made the decision to put on coats and regretted it in the first kilometre or two. It was like being in a sauna! So off with the coats and we put up with the light showers. It took just a shade over 3 and a half hours to make it out to the carpark. There was little incentive to stop as the sandflies were atrocious. At the carpark we put on overtrousers in order to stay sane. There was time for a coffee before the lady from Glenorchy Jouneys picked us up. Once back in Queenstown Peewee experienced his first pod hostel, it is sort of like camping in a small tent.  You just get used to climbing over everything.

Boundary Hut to Greenstone Hut

After a great nights rest we checked the weather forecast again. Heavy rain was forecast . We had planned only to go as far as Taipo Hut. But then we would have to hope we could cross Pool Burn the following day. Peewee thought a better idea would be to push on to Greenstone Hut and then have a rest day before heading out. What a clever little kiwi. So that is what we did.

Mavora- Boundary Hut

After an exciting ride to the Mavora carpark Peewee was set for the next adventure. We hopped out a bit further up the road because the weather report was for heavy rain that would make river crossing tricky. We adopted plan B and walked 16km to Boundary Hut.

Martins Hut decisions

Well we have made the call to abandon the Longwoods and Takitimus. Peewee needs to change his diet, shed some weight, and swap out some gear. We will then head through to Te Anau to do the Mavora Greenstone leg. Will be back to do finish the Longwoods and Takitimus at a later date.