27/2/22, Day 89, 37km, Total 2288km
Elevation Gain:911, Loss: 955
An exhausting day but good to get home.
Left at 8.30 after a huge breakfast thanks to Brent and Sue. Wonderful Trail Angels.
Met a NOBO walker, Danny, at Bombay and had a chat with her. Then up to the summit of Mt William. An easy climb up for great views of the Waikato including Kareoi, Pirongia and the Hakaramatas.
Then down to State Highway 2 for 6km of road walking with the most traffic I’ve seen on a road since I started the Trail 5 months ago. I guess being a Sunday afternoon the Aucklanders were heading home from their batches. From SH2 we (Ben and I) walked on a stop bank for most of the 10km to Mercer. It came out really hot in the afternoon so we were very glad to get to Mercer and some cold drinks.
Len (my flatmate) met me there and I put my pack in his car and set off for the last 3km to where I started the hike last September. This was the hardest 3km of the last 2 days with an overgrown and often hard to follow track over several hills. I was rather stuffed when Len finally picked me up.
Then back home for an awesome hot shower and a few nights in my bed. Then back to Auckland to finish the section to Cape Reinga.
I’m feeling stuffed but very pleased with what I’ve achieved especially in the last two days.
Thanks for keeping me company today Ben. It was really nice to walk with you. All the best for the rest of your hike south.
