Got up at 4:00 and left the hut at 5:30 as wanted to arrive at Te Anau early. The full moon going down over the mountains lit the area. Managed my way pushing through tussocks covered by heavy frost and walked across Kiwi burn that made my feet numb instantly. Walked 3km back the track to north I walked yesterday, crossed the swing bridge and went down to south. In the pitch darkness followed Marova Lakes road running parallel with the track for a little while.
As getting brighter, went back to the track alongside Maraoa river via a road that anglers take to go down to the river. The road was notorious for being undefined most of the way and covered by tall undergrowth; but did not bother me much probably because there were no annoying bugs around this time of the year.
At 10:00 could nit drink the water of my drink bottle, which has been filled this morning and put in the pocket of my pack, because it was frozen like sorbet! Holly molly, how on the earth could this happen!? Then noticed my backpack was covered by frost. There was blue sky above the Mavora Lakes on my way back, but ahead of my way was covered by inversion layer cloud and freezing cold as if being in a freezer. TA route was merged with Mavora Lakes road again on a half way.
Walked out to SH94, and went further down to the junction with Princhester road where I will start tomorrow. Started to hitch a ride. Fredric, a German guy from Wanaka gave me a lift after 45 minutes when being shivering with cold. Arrived Te Anau at 14:30 and dropped in at Fiordland National Park DOC Visitor Centre. Our friend Mihoko Kameyama was at work and had a good catch up.
Stayed at Te Anau Kiwi Holiday Park at $30/night. Occupied a 10 bunks room by myself. Went to supermarket to buy food for 5 days. Went to bed at 23:00. Walked 8 hours, 29.5km+6km detour to the swing bridge.
今日は早めにテアナウの町へ行きたいので、4:00に起きて、山の端に沈みかけている満月の明かりに照らされながら、5:30に小屋を出た。厚く霜に覆われたタソックをかき分けながら進み、小川キーウィバーンを渡渉すると、たちまち足指の感覚がマヒ。昨日来た道を北に3km戻り、吊り橋を渡って再び南下する。この時点ではまだ真っ暗なので、並行するマボラ湖道路をしばらく歩く。
明るくなってから釣師が川へ出るのに使う通路を使って、マラロア川沿いのトラックに戻る。この道は背丈の高い草が生い茂り、道もはっきりしないところが多く、あまり良い評判を聞かないが、時節的に虫などもいないせいかそんなに嫌だとは思わなかった。朝汲んだ水のボトルをバックパックのポケットに差していて、10:00頃飲もうと口を付けたら、中身がシャーベットのように凍っていた。一体何度まで気温が下がれば、こんな現象が起きるのだろうか？気づくと、バックパックも霜で覆われている。振り返れば、マボラ湖方面は青空なのに、前方は逆転層の雲に覆われ冷凍庫の中にいるようだ。TAのコースは途中から再びマボラ湖道路に合流。
国道94号線に出た後、明日入っていく予定のプリンチェスター道路との分岐まで更に歩いてからヒッチハイクを開始。45分ほど待ち、寒さに震え始めたころワナカ在住のドイツ人フレデリックが停まってくれた。14:30にテアナウに着き、タキティム山脈の情報を調べにDOCのビジターセンターへ行くと、丁度友人のミホコさんが勤務していて近況を知らせ合った。
テアナウ・キーウィ・ホリデーパークに＄30で投宿。10人用の大きな相部屋に客は自分のみで個室状態。スーパーで5日分の食料を買い足し23:00就寝。本日の歩行8時間、29.5km+吊り橋への迂回分6km。
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