From Wanaka to Queenstown on the Te Araroa

A warm hello to all lovers of fine literature and adventure novels. Here we are again with new stories. If you haven't read the last post yet, you have to hurry😉.

No, seriously - it's great that you tuned in again!

After the past few days, we can proudly announce that we are back on the Te Araroa Trail and have had exciting days in the mountains between Wanaka and Queenstown. We were disappointed to have missed a section of the trail. Therefore, this section was even more beautiful. In 5 days, we walked about 90 km, climbed 4 mountains each at an altitude of about 1200 meters, and climbed about 4300 meters in total.

What always looks so romantic in the photos was hard work again. Nevertheless, our dream of the ultimate Te Araroa feeling finally came true. What we had already learned from photos and reports, we now experienced ourselves.

First, the first stage led us from beautiful Wanaka along Lake Wanaka to the other end of the lake. We stayed at a slightly outdated campsite. But as TA walkers, we got a discount and showers for free. We enjoyed the evening with a view of the lake and indulged a little in thoughts of our return.

Early at 6:00 am, that was no longer to be thought of. The days are already getting shorter again here and it was still dark. The things were packed mechanically, the tent was dismantled, and energy was fueled in the form of coffee and muesli. We always have instant coffee with us, without it, we Saxons can't function. At this point, a big thank you to our mom again, who provided us with the perfect lock-and-lock container in the size of the cheapest instant coffee😘.

The stage promised an easy meander valley hike, followed by a 900 m ascent to the first hut, which we reached at the best lunchtime. The sun was very kind to us. After leaving a forest, we continued to climb in alpine terrain with bushes and grass. We took the break for extensive relaxation, the afternoon demanded a lot from our thighs and calves, as we first climbed 3.5 km to Jack Halls Saddle (1275m) and then felt like falling freely for another 2.7 km. That always sounds very little, but the New Zealanders don't know switchbacks😌. It always goes either steeply up or steeply down. In the end, we saw the hut for our overnight stay and hurried to get there. New Zealand has a fantastic hut system, we are thrilled with it. A hut consists of one room with a dining table, a kind of kitchenette for cooking, and a two-story sleeping area with 6 to 30 sleeping places (mattresses made of imitation leather). The first one to arrive takes a mattress with their sleeping bag, all subsequent hikers then fit in. When all beds are occupied, it is called a "full hut"😂. You meet lots of people and get very close to each other. Oh yes, there is also an outside toilet. In Germany, you would call it an "outhouse". But that doesn't do justice to the toilets here. Here we would use the term "luxury compost toilet". We would like to express our praise for the condition and number of New Zealand toilets! Every new New Zealand visitor doesn't have to worry about that😁. Back to the topic: hut reached, mattress taken on the upper floor, enjoyed the view, chatted, cooked and ate, slept, woke up again because a Swede chased a possum with stones at night, which didn't like that very much.

Next day - new hiking luck! Two peaks were waiting for us. It's also great when other hikers tell horror stories about the level of difficulty. Very motivating😕. The view from the hut window, phew "Fritz Walter weather (rain) - again and again the Koewis, the crazy German walkers; conquer the mountains .....aaaaaand: they are HAPPY👍👍👍 (Some of you may know the original version of the 1954 World Cup. It's a bit of a derivation😉) Even in rainy weather, nature looks good. Susi copes much better with the climbs than I do. Here's a short, really happened conversation just before reaching the summit. Andreas reaches Susi struggling for breath and

Susi says, "Are you okay?"😂😂😂😂 And continues, "I'm so happy!"

Andreas, struggling for breath, says, "Let's keep going!"😂😂😂

After 7 hours and 11 km, this stage was also completed and we fell into bed satisfied. After the usual morning routine, today it was time to head to Arrowtown. A small village with a gold mining past. 25 km and the final 1200 m ascent. Of course, starting right in front of the hut. 8:00 am in the morning, pleasant 25 degrees Celsius. No further comment on how the conquering of the summit went. It was a real spectacle of nature and in the late afternoon, we reached the "western town". Set up the tent and great joy to have made it this far. The next day was about "licking wounds" and enjoying (hamburgers with fries and beer, 2 servings for 40 € - that's about costs). Then the final "sprint" to Queenstown over 30 km. Great weather, beautiful lakes, etc. 5 pm, arrival at Holiday Park Queenstown. We made it. A similar feeling to after a running experience. Wonderful. We will spend the next few days here in Queenstown, slowly planning the last events before our return. There are still some highlights to come. Stay curious.

Looking forward to the last few days here and to seeing you at home👍🙋👍🙋👍🙋!

Your Koewis