🗓️ December 28, 2025

🏁 Kilometers : 1570

I get up early to go to the supermarket to stock up on supplies for the next seven or eight days. We're going to cross the Tararuas mountain range, famous for its rapidly changing weather and frequent strong winds. According to the official forecast, the first three days should be relatively easy, but the following four or five will depend on Mother Nature.

This morning the sky is blue and the temperature pleasant; a summery feel is in the air. The route leaves the city, passes along a few roads, and then takes a forest path. I have a sort of migraine today, a pain in my lower right ribs that I've been dealing with for three days, and my feet are still sore from the last two days of hiking… so I'm not feeling my best, and it seems to be the same for my companions, we are all moving at a slower pace today. So we decide to shorten the day and stop 8 kilometers earlier than planned.

🗓️ December 29, 2025

🏁 Kilometers : 1593

The wind picked up during the night and continues to blow into the early morning; we can hear the gusts whipping through the trees above us. However, we are relatively spared, as the camp is situated in a kind of hollow, sheltered from the vagaries of the weather. The wind then subsides as we begin walking, and the blue sky accompanies us throughout the morning.

We manage to get some cell service to check the weather reports, which are announcing an orange alert for strong winds of up to 120 km/h in the region from 3 p.m. until the early morning. And indeed, as mid-afternoon approaches, the sky clouds over, rain begins to fall, and the wind picks up again. Upon arriving at the camp, which consists of a small hut and a camping area, we find that all the bunks are already taken and that we have to pitch our tents. Fortunately, it seems that once again we are in a rather sheltered space, a sort of small valley that is not directly exposed to the winds, although I can hear the trees at the top of the slope being violently shaken, resonating like the crash of a huge waterfall and the dull rumble of water crashing on the rocks.

🗓️ December 30, 2025

🏁 Kilometers : 1611

The wind continued to blow all night with intimidating force. I heard cracking sounds several times in the surrounding forest, but not directly near the camp, and I ended up having a relatively good night's sleep. At dawn, the strong gusts continue without diminishing in intensity.

Just before I leave, I assist in disbelief as two fir trees are brought down by the force of the wind about fifty meters away. I see a third fall five minutes later. I know we shouldn't be there, that the elements are raging too fiercely for us to hike in the forest. Fortunately, the path avoids the large trees, and we soon find ourselves in a forest of very dense shrubs and short trees which, in addition to not collapsing, offer us protection. We still have to be careful not to get hit on the head by a branch. The ground is so covered with fresh leaves that the trail is sometimes difficult to follow. A constant rumble accompanies us, the roar of Mother Nature!

Our shoes sometimes sink up to our calves in liquid mud reminiscent of the color and texture of melted chocolate. At one point, I take a tumble, landing hard on my hands! I try to avoid the worst sections by taking small detours, but my companions don't hesitate and go straight through. Our shoes are soaked with water and mud anyway. So, what the hell!

After a few hours, the wind dies down, the sun comes out, and we can finish the hike in pleasant weather… We arrive at the campsite early and barely have time to pitch our tents before the rain starts again.

I wonder if we've had more than two consecutive days of good weather since the beginning… but I knew what I was getting into. New Zealand certainly lives up to its reputation!