Wangapeka Track completed
I made it! Through the historic Wangapeka Track from Tasman District to Tasman Sea.
Just a quick note to say I got over the Wangapeka Track all good and had a great time in doing so. I'm currently resting in Karamea while I plan my return.
The track took me 72.5 hours, or four days and three nights. The first two days were roughly 20km, day three, with the crossing of Little Wanganui Saddle, was about 12km and then it was just under 10km out to the road end. Strava has all the detailed details (search Dunc Wilson - I can't add links on my phone for some reason, sorry!)
First night, I crashed at Stone Hut, followed by Taipo Hut and then Belltown Manunui Hut on the third. All three are excellent backcountry facilities, with heaters and drying racks. Taipo - the furthest hut from anywhere - even had toilet paper! Note to survival planners: head there in a lockdown/earth meltdown.
Crossing Little Wanganui Saddle was the trip highlight, as viewers on Facebook will have seen. Oh, go on, here's that view again:
It's hard to overlook the track's solitude. I met precisely zero other people walking the track. All up, I met six others doing different things, and one of those was operating the grader on the gravel road at the end! I really felt truly alone.
Aside from the wildlife, that is! Toutouwai (robins) were constantly sneaking up on me, a pīwakawaka pango (black fantail) landed on my outstretched trekking pole, although those were the most disinterested weka I've ever met!
Exiting at the road-end, David and Archer from the last hut offered me a lift to Karamea, which I politely declined. I wanted to feel the West Coast surf on my feet knowing I had walked there on my own steam. But Little Wanganui Hotel stood between me and the waves. A plate of hot chips and a Monteith's Pilsner later, and I was stood in the clear water of the Tasman Sea. Magic! The 'hot chips were fantastic, crispy and soft at the same time; the aged jalapeño sauce option just the cherry on top: 9/10 (I never give 10s).
Beach done, I hitched a ride to Karamea and found the holiday park from the bike ride days is all closed down. Never mind: the domain campground is right in town and a wonderful facility. Full kitchen, showers, laundry, TV room, pool and darts for just $15 a night!
As for my presumption that the coffee at Last Resort wouldn't stack up to the expectations laid down in 2015: I was right. The locals all tried to warn me away, but, this morning, I went in anyway. I got a great chat with the bloke in there. A good twenty minutes or so. I now know an awful lot about trout fishing, the non-angler that I am. But no coffee. The lady who makes them was on the phone the entire time. Eventually, my new fishing pal said "hmmm. Why don't you try the café?"
So, I did. Nice coffee and vegan brekky, Vinnie's.
Time to plan my return to Tasman District. There's a few options!
Dunc