Roaming Tinkerbell

From Albert Town Campground to WanakaHiking time: 09:20a.m.-02:00p.m.Daily/Total distance: 14km /886km (230.5 hitched/skipped, 84 biked)Steps: 24598Weather: clear This morning I took it easy to get going, knowing I would only have a “short” walk getting into Wanaka. At first the path lead to some of the outer edges of Albert Town, following the river towards the lake. All along the path was for walkers and cyclists only. The walk along the river was very beautiful with the sun shining about….

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From the peak of Breast Hill to Albert Town CampgroundHiking time: 08:00a.m.-02:00p.m. and 04:15p.m.-07:30p.m.Daily/Total distance: 24km /872km (230.5 hitched/skipped, 84 biked)Steps: 36809Weather: clear all day I woke up this morning before the sun was really rising. The last night wasn’t the best sleep I have had on trail. Even though it was only light, there was a constant breeze going all night long, which really annoyed me as it kept rattling on my tent. It was also quite chilly. My…

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From Top Timaru Hut to the peak of Breast HillHiking time: 07:15a.m.-05:00p.m.Daily/Total distance: 22km /848km (230.5 hitched/skipped, 84 biked)Steps: 36099Weather: overcast then fine The other two girls and me got up at 6am this morning to get ready while the Canadians waited until 6:30am. The guy from the UK continued sleeping. So I got all my things together and then packed them out on the porch amidst battling the sandflies. By 7:15am I was ready and set off first. The…

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Yesterday, while climbing over Mt Martha Saddle, I downloaded the latest weather report. There forvast predicted about 30mm of rain, mostly in the afternoon. As the next hut is 7-8h away, I would have to leave early. Upon waking up at 6am with my alarm though, I could already hear the heavy rain tapping on the roof of the hut, supported by gusts of wind. I therefore made the decision to stay the day at the hut and wait out…

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From Camp spot 1km from Birchwood road to Top Timaru HutHiking time: 09:00a.m.-05:00p.m.Daily/Total distance: 21.5km /826km (230.5 hitched/skipped, 84 biked)Steps: 29854Weather: cloudy in the morning, sunny and very windy during the day and light shower in the afternoon This morning I got up at 8am. I set about packing my things and preparing my breakfast and lunch wraps. At 9am I was off. Though the clouds ahead of me didn’t make me feel so good about the days plans. They…

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From Camp spot neat freehold creek to Camp spot 1km from Birchwood roadHiking time: 08:50a.m.-07:20p.m.Daily/Total distance: 25km /804.5km (230.5 hitched/skipped, 84 biked)Steps: 38623Weather: cloudy then fine I got up at 7:30am this morning. I didn’t feel like getting up before it started to get light outside my tent. The others all pretty much did the same. I got finished quite slowly. Preparing my breakfast and lunch of wraps with Nutella, peanut butter and salted crisps before starting to pack my…

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From Tekapo to a camp spot near freehold creekBiking/Hiking time: 09:30a.m.-07:00p.m.Daily/Total distance: 90km (84 biked) /779.5km (230.5 hitched/skipped, 84 biked)Steps: 8866Weather: cloudy in the morning then clear This morning I got up super early at 5:45am. With the bike drop-off and the bag pick up at 7:15am, I need to be ready and going at 7am. As I discovered yesterday, that the camping kitchen has no utensils whatsoever, I also had to cook my breakfast of eggs, bacon and chilli…

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After my freezing experience in the sleet crossing Stag Saddle, I decided to stay an additional day in Tekapo and enjoy the Springs a second time. As the Backpackers was already booked out, I changed to a tent side. So at 10am, after checking out I stood at the reception again to get a tent side. I couldn’t check in until 12:30pm though, so I left my backpack and fridge stuff at the reception and went into town to use…

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From Camp Stream Hut to TekapoHiking time: 08:30a.m.-04:30p.m. to changeDaily/Total distance: 34km (15 hitched) /689.5km (230.5 hitched/skipped)Steps: 34972Weather: clear sunny and warm While everyone else in the hut got up at 6am, I as lazy and waited until 7:30am before getting up. I was still not quite warmed up from the previous day and didn’t fancy going outside into the cold of the morning. At 7:30am though I slowly got moving. Knowing I would walk out to Tekapo this day,…

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From Stone Hut to Camp Stream HutHiking time: 08:30a.m.-04:30p.m.Daily/Total distance: 20km /655.5km (215.5 hitched/skipped)Steps: 31291Weather: cloudy morning, rain from noon onwards with sleet joining in at the saddle as well as strong winds While the Canadians got up again at 6am this morning, I was a hit more lazy and had a lie in until 7am before I got up to get ready. I continued talking to the NOBOs before heading off myself at 8:30am. The track immediately crossed Bush…

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