Well,
This is where my Te Araroa on the North Island really starts. Up until now they all have been “practice” days with nice accommodation and food from town in the evening. No more Mr. Nice Guy.
Yesterday evening was amazing listening to the owls as darkness fell. “More Pork”… “More Pork” as they moved from one location to the next, (what seemed to be) answering each other’s call. This morning however was a little different… I woke up in my tent after what felt like a looong night with intermittent rain showers. I had to get everything packed and make peace with the fact that on the real TA, most things are wet, including yourself. There was brief sunshine but I got a sense it will only be temporary… which it was. Anyway, I was on the trail soon after 7am-ish and started the 5-odd-km climb for the day.
Finally it felt like the real TA, starting from somewhere new, walking over a mountain and finishing somewhere else, new. The going was tough, but I reached the summit after 4 hours and was happy with my progress, even if the view was non existent unfortunately. Most of the day was in either rain or clouds and the summit was completely in the “white room”.
I had the most incredible encounter with an owl today during one of my snack breaks. I was sitting down in the middle of the trail having a bite to eat when I noticed how quiet everything was… not a squeak from anything or any bird. This reminded me of South Africa, in the Kruger National Wildlife Park. You either see “food” (buck, zebra and warthog) or nothing (because you often don’t see the predators). They are after all predators and good at hiding and hunting. So back to today, out of nowhere I saw this owl flying in to sit on a branch just in front of me. I couldn’t believe it, after listening to them for most of yesterday evening, I see one like this, during the day, looking at me. We had a moment, watching each other, maybe mutually asking “what are you doing here”. I tried to take a photo, but this camera on my phone is beyond useless with zoom. It was not my imagination, and after a while it fly away again, as silently as it arrived. A very, very special encounter that I will never forget. I know because of their silent feathers, they cannot fly extensively in the rain, so perhaps he/she was also making the most of the break in the weather at that time.
I made it to the hut… in time to get things dry and take a bath in the river. It is nice to feel clean and dry, getting into bed. There are also two families at the hut with small children, so it is pretty busy tonight. All in all, happy with my progress, not so happy with my heavy pack and ready for a good night’s sleep.
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40.8734 – 175.2321
29 November 2024
FP-323
2 responses to “Parawai Lodge / Hut – Day 56.”
Still some pretty stunning pics, even if it was a “white room” rainy day..
4 hours to summit in these tough conditions.. Wow!
I can only try to imagine you special encounter with the Owl..
Wow!
Interesting fact, that I did not know.. That they cannot fly extensively in rain because of their “silent feathers”
Bathe in the river.. That must be something…
Hope you got your good night sleep “-)
My “meeting” with the owl felt pretty special. It this point it was only the start (a small taste) of the mountains… but I did okay.
Your spelling of “bathe” is probably correct. LOL. Rivers here are not as cold as in the South Island.