A bigger 15km piece today,
Waking up this morning under a blue sky after another night of listening to the owls were amazing. I love the birdsong during the day, but even more so throughout the night. I planned on completing a bigger 15km of trail through the rivers and woods today. Started with the rivers… and then followed by the mud, and mud, and more mud. Ugh (I don’t take photos of the mud because I don’t want to remember it.)
I hoped after the dry-ish day yesterday that the trail would be better and dryer today, but that hope wash dashed during the first kilometre today. Anyway, I kept on going and made it to the lookout point before lunch and carried on towards the hut where I will spent the night.
I passed an old hydro electricity station reservoir on the way to the hut. It was built in 1924, making it 100 years old this year. Interesting how good engineering, concrete and maintenance can be resilient for so long.
Made it to the hut, in time to pitch my tent so that it could dry. Quick wash and putting my feet up in preparation for tomorrow, which is another 15km stint. Sharing the hut with more SOBO walkers on their way to Wellington. They are foreigners and I little bit of me don’t even want to attempt to make conversation, but I did. Yesterday some other (very young) walkers passed me on the trail and I just couldn’t reach that low to join their conversation… (and it would not be cool to speak to the old “uncle” either) Maybe I am too old… or getting too old.
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40.5755 – 175.4970
7 December 2024
FP-331
4 responses to “Tokomaru Hut – Day 63.”
Owls and Birdsong – amazing indeed
I can even appreciate the Tweetie Birds even if they wake me up at 03h00 in the mornings these days ..
I love hiking next to rivers – something tranquil about the sound
MUD – a difinite no no for me ‘-)
“I passed an old hydro electricity station reservoir on the way to the hut. It was built in 1924, making it 100 years old this year”
WOW – most definitely some good engineering, etc
LOL – the young walkers – (and it would not be cool to speak to the old “uncle” either) – Maybe I am too old… or getting too old. –
I sometimes think those thoughts too ..
The Hut states – Ian & Franks Hut – did they build it?
NOBO & SOBO?
The TA trail is not for you… way too much mud for your liking.
Don’t laugh, it seems like everyone on the trail is young compared to me, the clunky dinosaur 🤔
Long story short… Ian and Frank were two persons, instrumental in creating some of the TA Trail bits around Palmerston North, connecting existing trails together and making developing shelters and huts like this one. This hut was named in their honour.
SOBO = Southbound = Walking South.
NOBO = Obviously the other direction, the way I am travelling in.
Kool – thanks for answering all my questions ‘-)
Go NOBO Go! ‘-)
Pleasure. Not talking in code.