Started 5:30 in the dark, as it will be rainy from evening to night
today and wanted to go further before the rain starts. In downtown Hamilton,
there were pedestrian paths and street lights and it was no problem to walk. Day broke when walking around a suburban area. Walked pass Taitua nursery
looking like a chicken paradise. Walked smoothly through paddocks, grassland
along the river and on the roads, at 11:00 arrived at Karamu Walkway earlier than planned. There was a track
closure notice that made me dumbfounded. Later I knew track was closed till mid
November due to the on going farm works. It was my fault not to check this
short track at DOC Hamilton Office, as being focused on Mt Pirongia further a
way. Had to accept the situation and turned back.
Called into Karamu Valley
Lodge B&B on a way, and asked Paul the owner about the way go. Surprisingly,
he offered to give me a ride to the entrance of next track. Hesitantly said to
him "but you must be busy?" Then he replied to me "I'm not too
busy not to help someone who needs in help". What a gracious word. Deeply
appreciated his offer, got a ride to Nikau Walk, 10km away. Paul shifted to NZ from UK with his wife 15 years ago. His B&B also has a facility
for backpackers as well. Thanks to Paul's kindness, I was able to start Mt
Pirongia just after 13:00. Climbed racing with rain clouds. There was no view
from the top, however have arrived at the hut before the rain started. A large
brand-new 20 bunks hut was nearly full. The mountain path I walked was not as
muddy as I heard - will see how it will be tomorrow after the rain that started
18:30. Walked 39km today.
今日は夕方から夜にかけて雨との予報で、その前にできるだけ進みたかったのでまだ真っ暗の5:30に宿を出発。ハミルトンの市街地は歩道も街灯もあり全く問題なく歩け、郊外に出た頃夜が明けてきた。タイトゥア樹木園を抜けたが鶏の楽園のようなところだった。その後牧草地や川沿いの草地、道路などを順調に歩き、目標より早い11時頃カラム・ウォークウェイの入り口へ。ところがトラックが閉鎖中との案内が出ていて目の前が真っ暗になった。牧場の作業の関係で11月中旬まで閉鎖と後で知る。昨日わざわざハミルトンのDOCオフィスへ行ったのに、その先のピロンギア山のことにばかり気を取られ、その手前のこの短いトラックのことを確認しなかった自分のミス。
仕方なく道を引き返し、途中にあったカマル・ヴァレー・ロッジB&Bを訪れ、ポールさんというオーナーに道を尋ねたとことろ、何と車でトラックの始点まで連れて行ってくれると言う。「でも忙しいんでしょう？」と遠慮して言うと「困っている人を助けられないほど忙しい訳ではない」との有難い言葉。ご好意に甘え、約10km先の二カウ・ウォーク始点まで連れて行ってもらった。ポールさんはイギリス人で15年前に奥さんとNZへ移住。彼のB&Bではバックパッカー向けの施設もあるとか。彼のおかげで13:00過ぎからピロンギア山を登り始めることができた。雨雲と競争するように登り、山頂は雲に包まれ何も見えなかったが、何とか雨が降り始める前に山小屋に到着。定員20人の新しい大きな山小屋で、ほぼ満室の盛況。山道は前評判ほどドロドロではなかったが、18:30頃から雨となったので明日はどうなっていることやら。本日の歩行39km。
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