Day 32

Today was a hard day. I had breakfast and was away early. I was making good progress and the track was fine until I came to a fallen tree. It looked like others had gone under it and I followed a bit of a path but it petered out. I left my pack by the tree and spent ages trying to find the track. I then back tracked for a while and finally found it. I had to go up above the tree. I put the wifi on my phone and got the exciting news. Lincoln Riley Crighton had arrived that morning. Congratulations to Jo, Tobias, Alexis and Bree. I was Chris and my wedding anniversary so a special day. Johannes and Dell got engaged two days ago so lots of family news. I kept expecting the track to get hard and it did. Very steep and muddy. I had to take lots of breaks. Finally I got to the summit at 960 m. This is the most I have climbed yet. Just before the summit when I was pretty tired there was some welcome board walks and steps. At the summit I climbed a tower and the views were amazing. Kawhia, Aotea and Raglan harbours, Mt Karori and big views of the Waikato.  Spoke with Chris, Tobias, Jo and Johannes while standing on the summit tower. It was a slow walk to the hut and I washed my boots and gaiters. I spoke with some people who had come up the Hiwikiwi track which is what I go down tomorrow. Very steep and muddy. Fun!! Sorry about the black photo. I don't know how to delete it yet.

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