I started the day off with a stop in at the coffee shop next door, of course. I had a croissant with bacon and egg, a pear muffin and a flat white. I felt good and full but not stuffed surprisingly. Ready for the trail, I headed off around the same time as a few others. The trail wasn’t the easiest to follow, so it was nice to be in a group. It turned off the highway into some backyards and then down to a river, through some fields, back to the road, back to the river and back through some fields.

After that it was easier to navigate since it was a 5km road walk on the same road. We climbed up into some hills and then eventually turned off onto the Karamu walkway that goes through a large sheep farm for a few kms.

There were some short steep up and downs and more views of Mt Pirongia.

The trail eventually joins a very quiet road that we take to the start of the track up Mt Pirongia. I had a lunch break at the start of the trail and decided not to stop for the day at the next campsite in 3km, but to go on to the hut at the top of the mountain, about 11kms, since it was still early.

The first kms to the campsite were quite flat and easy, then the trail started to climb and had more mud and roots, but was still relatively easy for 4kms. The last 3 kms were tough, I was low on energy and the trail’s difficulty increased. I eventually got to the viewpoint and then the summit. It was crazy windy but the sun was coming out and the views were great, I think including Mt Tongariro.

It was a short walk from the summit to the hut, where I found some other TA hikers, of course. It will be a chilly night with the wind, I can see my breath, so it’s nice to be inside and out of the wind.

Day 36: Mt Pirongia to Kaimongo Rd
The hut was in the clouds in the morning and the wind was still howling outside, making the idea of getting out of my sleeping bag challenging. I did eventually get up and it was nice to get ready in the dry indoors.

Leaving the hut, there was boardwalk for the first part to another summit.

Then it was the usual, except the mud was exponentially more muddy than the previous day. It was also wetter, which wasn’t helping matters. I didn’t take many photos. The trail finally emerged on a dirt road, where the rain and wind were worse without the protection of the trees.

I decided to end the day at a trail angel’s place instead of going on for another 11km to a wild camping spot given the rain and wind. I was very glad with my decision since there’s a room indoors for us all (5 others) to sleep and they made us salad and fresh bread.

Day 37: Kaimongo road to Waitomo Caves

It was still raining this morning and all of our stuff was still damp despite hanging it to dry in a sheltered area outside. At least it wasn’t windy and felt much warmer than yesterday. After sucking it up and putting on my damp clothes, it was 5km further down the gravel road to the turn off for the next track section. It stopped raining and the forest was very pretty but still very wet, and of course muddy.

After the forest, there was a part along a fence line through some fields that went up and down and up and down, about 5 very steep but short climbs, also known as PUDs (pointless up and downs). Then the trail followed a track that overgrown with these scratchy ferns for a few kms, then it was back into forest. It was nice that there were some views today.

There was one stream to cross, which wasn’t deep or complicated.

I treated myself when I got to the general store in Waitomo caves and decided to take a rest day and do a cave tour tomorrow.