Te Araroa (day 24) - Mangatepopo to Tongariro Holiday Park / mile 689

"Life is something to do while we can't get to sleep" Fran Lebowitz

Only a short hike today, could call it a near zero day as I finished at 9am. Reason being the weather.

Next section is a climb to the Red Crater which measures 1847 metres (6059 feet), it's the tallest peak we go through in North Island with stunning views if the weather allows to see them but the forecast for today was snow, rain and heavy wind. I've hiked in this sort of conditions before and it's some of the worst memories I have while outdoors. With this in mind I've opted to stay in a reasonably priced (30$) warm cabin at the Tongariro Holiday Park few miles before the climb begins.

I've called Mandy to double check the booking I've made in four days time for a boat pick up along the Wanganui river and she confirmed that it is all good, Bridge to Nowhere Lodge doesn't run a boat there everyday but on Sunday they will have a pick up available. I need to keep a reasonable pace for the next couple of days as the pick up point is 88 miles further along the trail.

It was raining all the way through the morning and the end of '42nd Traverse' trail was so muddy, wet and boring that I haven't took a single picture. Instead here's a couple snaps of postboxes and Manuka honey producing beehives I've taken before but didn't share yet.

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