The Tararuas have a sign at the beginning saying, do not tramp alone, this is a dangerous environment with extreme weather conditions and challenging terrain. Luckily, when I was trying not to succumb to the early stages of hypothermia at the first hut Stefan walked in smiling and made me a hot drink as I couldn't use my hands. In his indomitable Aussie way he said hey mate you look a bit rough. I have to be honest here, it was hands down totally irresponsible and inexcusably arrogant of me to presume that I could handle the Tararuas on my own. Stefan and I eventually carried on to the next hut which had a stove and we met up with several other Ta through trampers. Five very long days later we were spat out, deflated of every breath of energy and motivation but buoyed by the very best sense of camaraderie and support that I have experienced to date on the TA.
In the hut on the final night I looked around me at my fellow Tararua survivors, Katie with a very pale, exhausted face after injuring her knee badly, myself still with shaking hands and a feeling of extreme nausea after an epic head first fall down a ridge, even the ever strong Stefan was quiet after days of gale winds and freezing rain. There was a tangible air of relief that we had all made it out.
After this I had to attempt to hitch to the Palmerston North MS Society Christmas lunch and after a rather long time getting myself together in the toilet I think I was reasonably normal. Kia Kaha and apologies for writing a rather more eviscerating account than normal. I am staying with my TA friend Lois in Wellington to locate my lost confidence and many thanks to her and her lovely family.
In the hut on the final night I looked around me at my fellow Tararua survivors, Katie with a very pale, exhausted face after injuring her knee badly, myself still with shaking hands and a feeling of extreme nausea after an epic head first fall down a ridge, even the ever strong Stefan was quiet after days of gale winds and freezing rain. There was a tangible air of relief that we had all made it out.
After this I had to attempt to hitch to the Palmerston North MS Society Christmas lunch and after a rather long time getting myself together in the toilet I think I was reasonably normal. Kia Kaha and apologies for writing a rather more eviscerating account than normal. I am staying with my TA friend Lois in Wellington to locate my lost confidence and many thanks to her and her lovely family.
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