Start – TA km 832
Finish – TA km 855
Daily Distance – 23 km
TA Distance – 855 km
At 958 metres mt Pirongia is the first mountain that the TA route summits. Unfortunately, after the height
that’s where the similarities to a mountain end. In all other respects it’s the same unrelenting, mud soaked
trudge through the jungle that I’m so utterly sick of. On a positive note the mud wasn’t too terrible apart
from a few areas which looked like they could swallow a man whole. One important caveat though, it has
barely rained in the last 2 weeks. I pity anyone who attempts this route after significant rainfall.
Deciding it was still too early to camp, after a well earned coffee, we pushed on from the summit
viewpoint and hut towards a campspot outside of the forest. The second (smaller) summit was exhausting
and the descent was tiring, but we eventually emerged from the forest mud streaked and greatly relieved.
After washing in a stream and plodding along the metal road for a few km it was a case of flopping down
in the first likely spot. Unfortunately the best campsite available was a flat spot next to the road although
much too close to a cowfield to avoid the constant drone of 1001 flies. Probably the worst spot so far, but
at least the forest/fake mountain is done.
