North Island Day 33, 05/10/17 ~ 北島第33日・2017年10月5日

Started to walk at 7:00. Immediately crossed one way bridge over the Waikato river and come to the other side. The first 10km walk was along the river on the stop bank, and next 10km was along the road. The land was almost flat and there were cows grazing, not many sheep. As Huntly was getting closer, enormous thermal power plant came into my view and it was overwhelming. Popped into the downtown area just for lunch but no shopping as it was long way to go.

The last 10km today was the ridge-line walk of Hakarimata Mountains. At the beginning track condition was good with scenic points that was pleasant to walk. But soon it turned to the 'usual' muddy mountain path with lots of ups and downs which was challenging. However, at last 2km track became in good condition again with long steps. Runners were running up the steps one after another that looked so weird to me. The 1,500 steps 400m in height are actually used as a popular training facility by Hamilton runners. Was bewildered seeing a lot more people just in an hour down the steps than number of people I have seen on TA in the past month.

Accommodation tonight was camping at the garden of Arrow Lodge Motel in Ngaruawahia, costed me $15 including shower. Walked 34km today.

Today, accumulated walking distance exceeded 750km, 1/4 of 3,000km Te Araroa, took me 33 days to achieve. Not sure it was fast or slow, still it will be a long way to go!

7:00に歩き始めてすぐにワイカト川にかかる一車線の橋を渡り対岸へ移動。最初の10kmはまたワイカト川の土堤に沿って歩き、その次の10kmは道路歩き。ほとんど平坦で牛ばかりがめだり、羊はあまり見かけない。ハントリーが近づくと巨大な火力発電所の姿が視界を圧倒する。街にも立寄り昼食を食べたが、食糧補給はせず先を急ぐ。

今日最後の10kmはハカリマタ山脈の尾根歩きで、初めの部分は道も良く、景色の良いポイントもあり楽しかったが、途中からは例によってぬかるみだらけの上り下りの激しい道になった。ところが最後の2kmはまた道が整備され、階段が続くようになり、下からひっきりなしにランナーの格好をした人々が駆け上がってくる異様な光景。何でもハミルトン市民のトレーニング場になっているらしく、標高差400m、1,500段の階段が人気らしい。この一ヶ月間に山で出会った人数の何倍もの人に、下りの1時間だけですれ違い面食らった。

宿泊はナルアワヒアのアロー・ロッジーモーテルの庭脇にテントを張らせてもらい、シャワー等利用可で$15。本日の歩行34km。