Start – Top Timaru Hut
Finish – Stodys Hut
Daily Distance – 14 km
TA Distance – 2573 km
Bluff Distance – 468 km
Today I have been reflecting on the mental and emotional aspects of this journey. Sometimes I feel as if
my tiredness is more a lethargy of spirit than of body. After 4 months of near daily walking I have felt
rather ground down recently, like a pencil worn to the nub. After 2500km, I am often guilty of a selfimposed
expectation to be striding implacably toward the finish. By contrast, there are days when I feel
like a creature of caffeine and sugar just struggling through each step.
These thoughts are uppermost in my mind for a variety of reasons. In the past few days I have heard of
one friend who has had to abandon the trail entirely, the result of a recurring injury. He is understandably
hugely disappointed by the failure to reach Bluff after investing months of time and effort. Another hiker
has left the trail for a while as she just can’t face walking anymore, despite the nearness of the finish line.
I guess as a community we are usually so focused on the physical aspects of walking the distance that
emotional hardships go neglected.
For these last 500km I am reaffirming my commitment to just enjoy and experience the trail however it
arrives. A timely resolution as today’s trail was a washed out, foot-wide, constantly undulating sidle high
above a river. Literally my least favourite terrain by far. It is only a fleeting thing though and tomorrow is
a new day where anything may happen.
And on that cheery note I’m off to eat some chocolate…
Sorry, there were dozens of silty river crossings today, so no photos were taken. I try to always dry bag
the camera when the bottom of a stream isn’t visible in case of unexpectedly deep channels.
