Bye, Felicia

Well, I made it through the North Island. I’ve had a few good showers and I’m still scrubbing mud off of my legs, feet and all of my gear. The trails here were brutal at times but also brought me to some of the most remote and breathtaking forests. Truly vast and untouched jungles with only the raging rivers to break up the green tunnels. I’ve also spent hundreds of miles hiking busy roads. I’ve charged at bulls in pastures in the morning and been on a commuter train in the afternoon. The North Island was never easy or predictable. It was everything they said it would be and I’m ready for something new. It was a challenge but just one phrase came to mind as I bought my ferry ticket to the South Island – Bye, Felicia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAeHj201afQ

I’m taking a few days off in Wellington to reset and take care of some logistics. The resupply options are pretty tough on the South Island and after my experience at Nichol’s Hut, guess who is not going hungry on trail again – this guy! I wasn’t in any real danger but I don’t want to have to split a ramen packet into several meals again. It means carrying more heavy food but so be it. I sent three weeks of food ahead to three drop locations – St Arnaud, Boyles and Arthur’s Pass. It was tough to shop for that many days – wondering around the busy Countdown grocery store in downtown Wellington with my backpack trying to sort out that much food. I bought all of the Sour Patch Kids and tuna packets they had on the shelf and then spread everything out in the lobby of the main post office. They didn’t bat an eye – this is where all of the harried TA hikers set up operations to sort their peanut butter and toilet paper and the NZ Post staff are so helpful and friendly.

This was also an opportunity for me to get real about my end date. My original return ticket was for January 18 but knowing what I know now about this trail – that is not happening. I had based my original plan on my AT experience but this trail just takes much more time. The logistics are daunting and there are big portions of the South Island that require huge hitches or several days of road walking to get around closed sections. I like to stick to a plan but I think trying to push twenty two to twenty five miles a day on South Island with no rest days is foolish. I checked in with Bryan this morning and he was supportive of me taking the rest of January to complete the trail. It’s less than two weeks longer but it makes a huge difference in my hiking plan. I might even be able to take a zero in there somewhere! I spent about an hour on the phone with Air Tahiti Nui and the agent was super friendly and changed my flight for a really minimal fee.

The very very best part about Wellington is that my new Superfeet arrived! Bryan’s package with my new inserts and socks came in a few days early and they felt amazing when I put them on at the post office. Several other hikers are also scrambling for Superfeet right now and no one can find them in New Zealand. I’m going to need to sleep with these in my tent at night to keep them safe. Anyone want to open a trail side Superfeet store in New Zealand?

I’ve finished all of my planning and logistics and have booked a private room in an Airbnb. I need a minute away from the cramped hostel dorm rooms and campgrounds. Tomorrow will be a true zero. Sleeping in, finishing reading my book and resting. I’m over half way now but still have an Island to cross. Time to regather my strength. Thank you to everyone out there following along. I’m loving the likes and comments and can’t wait to be home.