Day 54: Weather Bomb

December 3, 2019

Kilometers: 1393.6-1435.1

Koitiata Campground to Mt Lees Reserve 

When I got out of my tent this morning the weather was perfect. Perfect temperature, dry tents and the sun rising over the sandy beach. We were up at 6am this morning to get as far as we could before the afternoon rain we knew was coming. Just before 7 we were back on the trail. The sun created some great lighting as it rose.

The waves were bigger than most we’ve seen on our beach walks, maybe another sign of the incoming storm. They crashed on the black sand beaches with piles of unique driftwood laying between the dunes and the water. The tide was going out and this created some nice solid sand for us to walk on. 

After a few kms we arrived at the only stream crossing on the beach for the day. We all hurried across one by one. After the stream we carried on down the beach for another 8 or so kms. 

Just before 11 we walked off the beach and onto a forestry road. We sat down for lunch number 1. We had the usual, tortillas with peanut butter, nuts, crasains and other dried fruit, and cookies. We were looking forward to our second lunch in town so we didn’t eat for long. 

From lunch to town it was 18kms. The forestry road took us out onto a paved road. About halfway through Peter got a hitch and took Charlie’s bag with him so he didn’t have to carry it. With about 4kms til town the rain began. Being so close to town Charlie took off running, I neglected to put on my rain jacket as it wasn’t cold out even after getting wet. 

After a quick 4kms we all met up at the Golden Arches in the town of Bulls. We ate second lunch and decided to wait out the storm there. Unfortunately, Peter realized he had forgotten his hiking poles in the woman’s car he got a hitch from. The storm worsened as we waited so we ate third lunch to pass the time. This storm was hitting the South Island especially bad. The weathermen are calling it a “weather bomb” which I don’t think is a scientific term but it does sound pretty bad I guess. 

The four of us played euchre at the McDonalds as the rain began to lighten a bit. We all soon bought some Red Bull’s to help us fly through the last 9kms of the day to our hostel for the night. As we rain geared up and set off the rain came back of course. We didn’t care much though and kept on walking towards our destination. 

The town of Bulls had huge bull statues on just about every street corner, which is obviously a smart investment by the local government. On the way into town one of these statues caught Ethan off guard, with the mist and wind in his face, he had to question if he was standing only feet away from his recently developed biggest fear. As we left town we had some fun with the bull statues. 

About 2kms after leaving the MickyDs the rain lightened again and eventually the sun came out. We shed our rain jackets and finished up our 41.5km day. 

We were met at the hostel and given a TA discount by the nice hosts. We waited until 8pm to make dinner as we were not very hungry after our three lunches. For dinner Ethan and I made Mexican rice bowls with instant rice, canned smoked chicken (actually not that bad), Mexican seasoning, peppers, onions and I added an avocado to mine. Soon after we headed to bed. We have a “short” 31km day tomorrow as we arrive in Palmerston North. 

-Alex