I went back to Catchpool Valley on a day hike and revisited the site where I camped with Abra the last time I was in NZ. I'm getting pretty comfortable with driving on the left.
8 miles 400 feet elevation gain
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| Things are getting surreal here in NZ and not in a good way |
First of all I drove to Catchpool Valley and I was not scared, careful but not scared. I am much less frightened of driving here now. We drive on the left here, I'm used to driving on the right.
I started my walk at 9 and gave myself until 1pm to turn around so I could make it out before the gate to the car park (parking lot) closes.
The hike took more out of me than I expected it too. Maybe it's stress or the weight I've gained or the hip pain I am having.
I did not quite make my goal because I seemed to be running out of time so I cut my loop short but still made a loop.
At one point I took a break and later I realized I had took off hiking in the wrong direction after my break. I HAVE NEVER done that before. I guess it's the stress I am under.
I took a side path to a look out on the top of Cattle Ridge and it was really nice. I might try driving back up there so I can show it to Abra.
I took Browns trail back down to the main trail and that trail was hellish. It was just a nasty clay rut and hard for me to deal with since I was already tired, but I made it down without a serious injury.
The main trail was like a sidewalk (foot path) so nice and smooth. If I had known the main trail was so smooth I would not have cut my loop short to save time.
The forest on the main trail was beautiful. I hope to go back one day just to photograph it.
6.5 miles 1250 elevation gain
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| Wood Bird |
