Start – Merrivale Hut
Finish – Martin’s Hut
Daily Distance – 29 km
TA Distance – 2933 km
Bluff Distance – 108 km
“Every step is closer to Bluff; every step is closer to Bluff; every step is closer to Bluff; every step…”.
And to think, it all started so brightly.
I should have known something was amiss this morning when the sheep looked up at the sky, shook their
heads and went back indoors. Unfortunately my weather predictions and those of the NZ met office are
far inferior to even the most dimwitted ovine. The heavy overnight wind and rain had dissipated, and
armed with a forecast that the occasional showers would clear throughout the morning, we set out for
Longview forest. In common with the Northland forests of months past, Longview is renown for being a
muddy, rooty, claustrophobic slog, so I was expecting it to be tough. I can say now, that so far it has lived
up to its reputation. A full day of alternate rain and hail, combined with a chill ocean wind hasn’t made
things any cheerier mind.
There was one major highlight for me today mind. After a seemingly neverending climb I received my
first, surprisingly emotional, glimpse of the Southern ocean. Bluff still seems like some unattainable
nirvana, but I’ll take the sea for now and work up to the rest. Also, despite the rain, cold, mud and
treacherous pathways, we covered 28km today. True, the effort was mainly inspired by wanting to be out
of the bush, but nevertheless, a few months ago, such a feat would have been almost unthinkable.
Home for the night is the final hut on the TA route, Martin’s hut. In the parlance of estate agents, it could
be said to have a rustic charm and a wonderfully active social scene. Well, if you like mice anyhow.
Having only 4 bunks in a snug (cramped and exceedingly gloomy) interior I decided to camp and let
others take the bunks. I usually sleep better in my tent anyway. It should come as no surprise given the
affordable (shite) nature of the hut, that the camping spots all possessed a jaunty aspect (a slope you could
ski down). Still, it was getting on towards 18:00 and there is no guarantee of finding a better spot, so it
will do for tonight. Tomorrow we should escape the bush and arrive in Colac Bay having survived the
final big test on the TA route. I cannot wait…
