Day 104: Reunited

January 22, 2020

Kilometers: 2548.1-2583.3

Pakituhi Hut to Wanaka YHA 

I had another early wake up this morning, getting up just after 6 and being on the trail at 6:40. I was hoping to see the sun rise over the mountains and hit lake Hawea but the overcast weather had a different idea, for the most part the sun was hidden except for a few seconds that it was able to peak through. 

I zig zagged my way down the mountain towards the lake. It was slow going as there were steep drops that took time maneuvering through. 

The 3.5kms took me almost an hour to get down. Admittedly I was not very locked in, there were some texting and Snapchat breaks. When I got down to the lake I began walking on the Gladstone track towards Hawea Village. 

I made it to the village earlier than the one shop/restaurant opened so I kept on walking. I turned onto the Hawea River track. It was basically just a gravel bike track that ran next to the fast flowing river. The flat walking allowed me to make good time.

Around 11 I crossed a bridge and got into Albert Town. I veered off the track towards the 4 square. I bought some fresh fruit and a Gatorade. I then went next door to the takeaway place and got some hoki and fries. Best fish and chips I’ve had in New Zealand. 

I then fought the urge to get an ice cream and/or a beer and returned to the trail for the last 12kms of the day. This track was another gravel trail mostly used by mountain bikers. It slowly brought me around lake wanaka into the city center.

When in town I went straight to the post office to get my bounce box. I then headed to the hostel, where Charlie had already reserved me a bed in their room for the night. 

I showered, did laundry and resupplied my gear from my bounce box. Charlie and Peter were happy to see me as this is the longest we’d been hiking separately since meeting each other on night one. We bought some beer and headed to the lake front. We all took a dip, had some beers and Peter found a surfboard. 

We then went straight from the beach to get dinner. We got a bunch of Asian food (I know, again). We took it back to the hostel and ate on the deck area. We then went to lay in our beds as the food coma hit.

Charlie and Peter had a zero day today. They took a wrong turn on the trail yesterday and ended up missing some of the section and then getting a hitch into Wanaka. This is why I didn’t catch up to them last night. Anyway, we are all ready to make a push towards Queenstown tomorrow. Onward!