Day 17 - Ruakākā

A good mountain climbing by the looks of the elevation maps, and I was really looking forward to some proper elevation. Some 25km today. 

Starting up the Te Whara track.

 

On the ridge there was an old military outpost. Here’s the powerhouse, but I’m not convinced it isn’t coffins. 

Near the top of the first mountain a few of us did a scramble section up a rocky spire offering 360° views of the area. 

Track went through a chimney

A rocky spire from below

11am photo at a windy outcrop. 

We were quite hungry so a couple of went to the nearest town a picked up some fish n chips. We went to the a restaurant called the deck. In NZ they pronounce deck like dick, which leads to some very funny misunderstandings. 

Apparently in New Zealand you have to order you sauces separately, and I was left without anything to dip with. But, as they say, hunger is the best seasoning, and I ate it quickly and happily.

Next we had to do another water crossing, by local water taxi this time. Here 4 of us split from the larger group I’ve been hiking with for a while. Hopefully I’ll see them again. The breaking of the fellowship. I’ll be sticking with the day 1 Belgians. 

 

A final 10km push to our campsite at Ruapaka Holiday park. Before we got there we had a quick shop at the first proper grocery store since Keri Keri; and four of us shared a communal pesto pasta and red wine meal.