Te Araroa (day 10) - Pataua North to Whangarei Heads / mile 244

The tidal navigation adventures continued today with Taiharuru river, walkable only at low tide which happened to be really early in the morning.

I've woke up ten past four in the morning to the sounds of Ollie and Arthur already stuffing their backpacks. I've joined their efforts and after twenty minutes I was ready to go, since they were still wrestling with their tents in the dark I left our trail angels backyard and proceeded towards the river. I've got there an hour later.

I begun walking through the muddy bank of the river and soon after I said goodbye to my freshly washed, dry socks and shoes as the trail was going through a knee deep water. I was waving my walking sticks in front of me trying to chase away any eventual sting rays which were populating these waters. After ten minutes I was back on the mud path, following Topo signs left in the water by DOC rangers. One more walk in the water and after completely submerging my shoes in the mud of the other river bank it was over. I washed my feet in a red, murky puddle by the side of the road one mile later.

Now it was onto a quick climb to the top of Kauri Mountain followed by few miles long walk along the beach which contained the highlight of the day, a dead body of a shark has been washed ashore. It was fascinating to see remains of that formidable predator.

At the end of the beach another much higher climb has awaited a 1449 feet high peak, wrapping around the Bream Head. It took me several hours to get through this section, it was going up and down a lot, trail was covered with tree roots and partially with mud. Once on the other side I proceeded down the road towards Whangarei Heads where my hike would come to a halt due to a water crossing.

I've called Blair running the Water Taxi, he said that he can take me across tomorrow at 8am, it was my only option. The tide was low and no other boats I could ask for help were swimming in the area. I've climbed up to Reotahi Overnight Campervan Parking which had the towns permit to host the stranded TA hikers. Unfortunately no one else was here so I've spend the evening reading and drying my clothes. I've also eaten last of my provisions, leaving me with 4 tortilla wraps and a can of mackerel until the next resupply point which hopefully will be five miles after the crossing tomorrow.