My Activity Tracking
269.6 km
240 km
Day Last - More big hikes
In the planning that is. Actually I did rather well last 6 days on the treadmill, garden walks and just about anywhere I could get my trekking shoes on - collecting just over 67 kms. Last Tuesday's hailstorm would have been great for hiking, if only I could get out of the traffic heading home at sloth pace. Don't get me wrong, I am not a danger seeking person but rather one that know his limitation and bounds. Few times I was caught in storms with hails up to 80kms when out in the remote and hills. Even at EBC trek to Pakding village, my guide and I were exposed to freezing rain and high wind. Think the trick is to pack for safety and not test the elements to the fullest. One always come second to the nature, no matter how strong or good the person is.So this is my last day, happens to be my "constant-be-reminded-how-old-I-am" day, to complete the task I set out. It is not an unrealistic target; 240 km is a determined goal, doable on all account. In fact my last training weeks for the EBC I clocked 116 km weekly average for 7 weeks in hiking.
Where to from here -
Back to hiking, more training.
Back to planning for future overseas hikes (one this year a possibility, March-25 two 6000+m summits).
Plenty of family time & trips (best of all).
To my family, relatives and friends - thank you all for your kind unwavering support.
Day 24 to 26 - Conveyor belt
Blustery wind and rain unfortunately dashed any hope of long adrenaline hikes. So I patiently succumbed to Amy’s treadmill for the time. Amy has always claimed her treadmill is the most used item after the house carpet. She is not wrong. Both my son Kieran and I pound on the mill regularly just not at the frequency she does. She bought this two weeks ahead of the first COVID lockdown back in April 2020.Keeping finger crossed next few days remaining will be pleasant enough for a catchup hike. Being woefully too long without my backpack 😊
Day 23 - Moonlight Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Was supposed to be crossing the TAC this evening however weather has taken a nasty turn with 75 km gale expected. So no trekking unfortunately. Will swap for a run on the treadmill in the morning and another walk around Onehunga this evening when Trout plays her volleyball. Weather not playing nice on Sun too by the looks.Day 15 - Ngatuhoa
A friend texted me earlier to remind me to update my page. He jokingly said the last one was getting too old, and that he’d be giving up soon for my neglect, but not before he knew the story with the dead possum. Hectic few days with work, and planning my next hikes, but still no excuse.Ngatuhoa is known for its hydro lakes and rivers. The place is popular with hikers and trampers, and its terrains and water ways provide heaps of exciting adventures to bikers and kayakers alike. Our group previously hiked the areas in 2016. So this is to retrace some of the trails, and to introduce members new to the areas in particular the legendary Te Rere i Oturu Falls.
My morning started with just cereal and milk. The group most had cooked bacons, eggs, hashbrowns. Pleasing smell of charred meat and bbq permeated from the lodge kitchen. Always good to start a trek with good meal and plenty of hydration. Mine was light but good to sustain for few hours before I consume food again during the day.
Our trek began 70 meters from the lodge. First to cross was a 1-person suspension bridge, continuing into a clearing upward climb before we came to a denser forest. We continued on this path for about an hour and half. The trail up to this point was mostly not technical. There were some steep parts but still hike-able for the team. Interestingly the steep parts are in areas called “DB”, not kidding you but it’s short for “Dirty Bum” trek. As implied, there was plenty of foot trips, mud slides and dirty butts.
Our first river crossing was at 2.5 hrs. Still on the Te Rere (abbreviated) falls track. It was wide, about 20m side to side. We could see white rapids, raging from the heavy deluge two days before. River crossing is risky, and it is fraught with dangerous obstacles as any tramper can attest. After some deliberation, it would appear the best route was to walk through the rapids (exposed and higher rocks), to form a fire-bucket chain with the experienced trekkers at the front. Some members were new to our multi day trips, and this’d be their first time crossing rivers. The usual practice is to start them off at shallow calmer waters. No chance today, these gushing rapids looked like horizontal waterfalls. Undeterred, the newbies took bold moves, forming the bucket chain, crossing one after another until all went over unscathed. Yours truly was the second last to cross, lending a hand to those who needed. The water was indeed cold, I almost couldn’t feel my nether parts for a while.
So the place we were heading is called Te Rere I Oturo Falls. It’s about 7.8 km far, and can take 4 to 5 hrs walk through dense forest and waterways.
Legend has it the falls took the name of a Māori warrior “Oturu”. He once lived with his tribe in a fortified pa in the Ruahihi regions, upper parts of the rivers. He made frequent visits to the streams catching fat eels and snared pigeons. All went well until he started returning to his family with few, small skinny pigeons and eels. So suspicions aroused that he kept the best meals for himself and fed the rest to his whanau. So one day they decided to follow Oturu on his hunting. They saw him catching and feasting on fine fat food, storing skinny ones to take home. They thought that was enough and they swooped down on him. Oturu ran as fast as he could, with his wife and brothers in close pursuit. He reached the top of the 42 meter high waterfall. He knew death was inevitable if caught. The only escape was going over the ledge. So Oturu made the desperate lunge .. and the legend kinda ended there.
After a short break we continued on the same track, crossed another section of the river. Mostly uneventful, heaps more exposed tree roots, much larger and thicker in comparison due to the richness in soil and abundance of water. We reached the waterfall just under midday.
And as Tony had promised, we stood before the towering sight of a milky white water fall. Water was hitting ground so hard that it formed mist flowing from the falls. It was majestic. Almost surreal - for me that is.
Ok, waterfalls are just waterfalls, nothing special, just water descending from rocks. So what is so intriguing about them.
Since young I have always been fascinated with waterfalls especially tall or giant ones. The immense energy of water hitting the base is deafening but for me it’s soothing, almost to the point I drift to sleep. That’s why I am always drawn to waterfalls when I trek and camp. Not just for the water source but way I can relax after a long day.
The rest of the trek were again uneventful, we splitted into three groups so each could make it back to the lodge at their respective pace and ease. I took the longest and challenging one with 6 fellow members. All in all our treks lasted 9 hours long and 21 km in total. A perfect way to end the day with group of amazing people and company.
The possum?
Like all pest controlled areas, Ngatuhoa has its problems with possums. They are prolific breeder (can outnumber any wild animals), and they destroy the habitat not just trees and the indigenous wildlife here. They look deceivingly cute, but known to be carriers of harmful deadly diseases, one being the bovine bacteria. They can’t pass the diseases to themselves, but to other living animals they are the perfect hosts. Hence the unforgiving nature of hunting them down to extinction.
The one in the picture was caught earlier that morning by a miniature trap. It was still alive gnawing at everything close so Ranger Luke had to club it dead as humanely as possible. Either that or dunk it in the river.
Day 14 - Hydro lakes, magnificent waterfalls
Ngatuhoa, Opuiaki, Te Rereioturu, Whio, Omanawa are some of the rivers we traversed to get to the waterfalls over the weekend. These amazing landscapes are situated in the Kaimai/Mamaku/Ngatuhoa areas. We began our journey on Friday departing from Sandringham just around noon. Our group of 26 consisted mostly club members, varying ages. First stop was at the Te Rere Omanawa historic Maori settlement, also a hydro station, pumping out to the national grid. To get to the falls require elevation of almost 400m at just over 5km. There are 720 steps heading towards first lookout, then another 300 or so going down towards the falls platforms. All good (for me) to get the heart pumping and adrenaline going. Needless to say the views from top elevation were captivating, wildlife particular the fantails are abundance. Top marks to the locals who keep this precious site close to it natural state and well above international standards.Our next and main stop was the Ngatuhoa Lodge, in the heart of the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park. A private facility consisting the 70 bed lodge, a camping ground and heaps of obstacle (challenging) courses and tracks. A perfect place for schools, recreational groups and even families.
After settling in, a cookup and we quickly set into our comfortable spaces for the evening. The next day, according to Tony our leader, was going to be spectacular.
Day 9, 10 - Half way mark
Not quite but good progress for the 2 days (or nights to be exact). My daily walk comprised walking about in the office, up the stairs, hopping and alternating on one foot when standing. They account for 3 to 4km, and up to 6 km if I am active. In the evenings I will put in my hiking shoes and hit the tarmac or inclines. Last 2 nights were spent on the treadmill as it was pissing rain the time I got home. When hitting the rubber conveyor I do no less than 7 km. Anything less nowadays just not giving the adrenaline push I kinda enjoy having when I go hard.Looking back, my passion for hiking began the time I was in Ieyama mountains back September 2022. I was lucky to be invited to train and participate in kendo (my other passion) in Japan at the time when it was still reeling from COVID. The first hike was up to 2800m just about 6 km into the lush green hills but I stopped short of reaching the peak due to damages to the trails caused by massive floods some weeks before.
It kinda attach to my DNA since. To date according to my records I have trekked over 1300 km, climbed just under 15 km in elevation, busted three nice pair of walking shoes and spent quad-zillions on hiking gears and ultralight camping gears.
Day 5, 6 & 7 - Mother’s day
Been super busy with work, the usual year end stuff juggling between month-end, year end/start, forward planning and renewal work. Any accountant can tell you it’s like the perfect storm where all shits are thrown at you and there is no place to hide.Celebrated Amy’s mother day with a cake she bought for my mum, who left a day earlier to spend time with my sister. Anyway happy mother’s day to all the mums out there - you are all special, and kids take time to appreciate all the things and love mums give unconditionally.
Over the three days I logged 29km, still short of the target I set which is 14km.
This week (Day 14 to 16) I will be at Kaimai Mamaku Ranges to explore the trails leading to few 600m plus peaks and waterfalls.
Day 8 is rest day - yippee?
Day 4, 5 - Cherish what you have
Reporting on Day 5 actually. Yesterday was spent tidying up year-end work so managed just 4 km in the evening. Planning to do a catchup this afternoon after work. Productive work-wise, less so in the glut department.This morning woke up to the sad news of a good friend’s passing. He had cancer, terminal and wasn’t expected to live past this month. Still it was sudden, and in a way it’s almost selfish. It’s a constant reminder that human life can be so fragile and unpredictably short. Thinking about this makes me well up. Yes, life is precious as it is. Make most of what matters, and let go of what isn’t.
I will commiserate over the loss of a good friend.
The track I am taking this afternoon is in Panmure. It is 18 km long, small height elevation, a pedicure path designed for both walking and bicycling.
Thank you to the two donors who boosted my $ target last night. Your contributions are truly appreciated.
Day 3 - Back to the slopes
I did the hard yards literally on the slopes at Marriott St, known for its steep climb towards the top. This is the stretch I used regularly for 4 months to prepare for my EBC trip. With a backpack about 16kg I tried to simulate heavy legs and induce labored breathing - akin to climbing uphill in a thin air environment. Happy to say it worked well for me - I encountered no issues associated with long distance and altitude breathing.Day 2 - Getting to know the neighbourhood & spring cleaning
Logged just close to 7km today, strayed from my intended 14km walk a day target. Good excuse though as the wisdomless me hadn’t factored this old body of mine required at least a rest day in between the hard yards. Lack of oxy sometimes deprive good thinking and Lil Trout thought it was just careless planning. No more using EBC as an excuse she said. Anyway, just a loop stroll along the neighbourhood to see how much work has advance on the bus way. It would appear the construction work has picked up pace. The road along Ti Rakau has certainly increased this year with major work in the Drury side diverting traffic to this end from Whitford.On house front, the pavement had overgrown weeds. Testament of how little gardening happened whilst I was away. It’s becoming unsightly and obstructing the compressors we have lined up along the walls. Weeds have a funny way of snaking into crevices and choke the systems into costly repairs. So out came the water blaster. I must profess I actually enjoy blasting the weeds into oblivion.
Day 1 - Cossey Dam & Massey tracks
Started on an easy track this morning with wifey Amy. Went at her pace as she hadn’t hiked since I left for overseas. I am still recovering from a chest infection caught in the plane on my way back from Kathmandu. Still a good pace (4km/hr), glad to be back. Hoping to hike and walk at least 14km a day to achieve my goal.Support my challenge to save Kiwi hearts
This May, I’m taking part in MyMarathon to raise funds for heart research that will help save lives.
Every 90 minutes, a person dies of heart disease.
Heart disease is the single biggest killer in New Zealand, and I want to do something to support the thousands of Kiwis whose lives are impacted by this disease every single day.
Please make a donation to support my challenge and help save Kiwi hearts.
There is absolutely no pressure or minimum whatsoever. You are more than welcome to enjoy the blurbs as I tackle some of the tracks - provide feedbacks, comments suggestions etc. The ultimate purpose is of course financial, so if you can spare any dollar that would be truly appreciated.
Together, we can win the race against heart disease.
Thank you!
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Go for it Kenneth!! Good cause always gets sting support. Well done for stepping up.