Start – Apple Dam Campsite (Puketi Forest)
Finish – DOC Puketi Recreation Area
Daily Distance – 25km
TA Distance – 199km
A section that I have been looking forward to and it truly didn’t disappoint.
Puketi forest is like a gentle conclusion after the trials of Herakino and Raetea for the most part, but the
section that I really wanted to experience was the 2.5km that is traversed by wading between shoal banks
down the Mangapukahukahu stream. Only passable in dry weather because of high water levels, I spent
last night pricking my ears up at every shower of rain, so didn’t sleep terribly well. The day dawned fine
though and made for what has been my favourite section so far by a long stretch. Wading down a river
canyon with dense rainforest on either side I felt like an explorer from the classic age of African
exploration. Rounding each bend in the river I half expected to find a band of angry natives and a Dr
Livingstone (or so I was resolved to presume anyway).
Sometimes this adventure has a way of reducing me to silently staring wonder and today was one of those
days. At these times I find my thoughts turn towards home and the many people I would love to share the
moment with. Hopefully my descriptions, insufficient though they will always be, are good enough for
now.
