17/18th December 2013- The Queen Charlotte Track MTB

On tuesday morning at 9am I went to Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company in Picton. I tried out the bike, went through some details and was put on the 10am boat. It was very sunny and got very hot. The boat left the harbour and down Queen Charlotte Sound where a load of dolphins picked up the boats trail.

One of the dolphins following the boat

The boat went to 4 stops before Punga Cove so it was just before 12 when I got off the boat and could start riding. I walked through the Punga Cove resort and then started riding when I got to the Queen Charlotte track (QCT). Starting off going uphill I noticed the advantage of the 27.5inch wheels. The bike was a Scott Scale and had what I thought was a good setup. The climbing flattened out after ascending about 200m and I managed to get a good ride out with great views towards my right to Kenepura Sound.

Kenepura Sound in the background

But after about 4 miles it started ascending again, but this time it was so steep I was conceeded to pushing. After reaching about 400m the track stayed pretty high and was rideable but a little undulating. I hadn't seen a single person yet and enjoyed eating my peanut butter sandwich lunch with the views to myself.

Lunchtime views

The track was good and started to descend going past Blackrock shelter and then a great winding descent to the Portage busy road crossing. I had to slow for the odd walker on the way down, trying not to piss anyone off.

Well timed shot

After eating cookies at the Portage Bay road crossing I continued uphill, which was again very steep so again had to push until it came to its highest point of about 450m and it was all fantastic riding from there with some brilliant singletrack and some great rocky decents and switchbacks.

Portage Bay Below

My arms and hands were tiring from the tricky descents, but it eventually came to an end when the QCT came to another road crossing, where I followed it left down to Mistetoe bay. I finished for the day at about 4pm. There was only about 8 miles left of the QCT, and I was tempted to finish it, if it wasn't for the long road stretch back to Mistetoe Bay and the threat of rain.

2nd from last decent of the day

I was booked to stay in accomodation for six individuals, but as no one else was staying there I had a small shack to myself. I felt spoilt as it consisted of a living room, two bedrooms (one with double bed), a bathroom with shower and a kitchen. I made dinner, read and slept in the double bed.

Slap up meal

After a good sleep I started again about 9am.It stsrted uphill but just about rideable, but my legs were still feeling the effects of the day before. The track levelled off and the singletrack was awesome with some sweeping corners, some rocky bits and boardwalks.

Enjoying the view

The section was brilliant and it seemed a shame when I was back at sea level, but at least I had chance to leave the bike and take a dip in the sea at Davies Bay. As it was again hot and sunny.

Davies Bay (all mine for 1/2 hour)

 After the dip and the chance to call down. I carried on and there was still a couple of miles of good track to enjoy before the QCT ended in Anikiwa. It was only about 11am and with my boat pick up being 4pm, I called The Marlborough Sounds Adventure company and told them I would ride back to Picton along the roads.

Anakiwa (end of the QCT)

The road riding was undulating as it would go over a hill and then back down to the many coves. The cycle from Anakiwa was about 15 miles and I stopped for a coffee and cake when I came past a cafe in one of the coves.

Just before the last decent into Picton

After the many undulations the road went up over the hill at about 200m where it descended into Picton and I gave the bike back at about 12:30.

14th December 2013- 42 Traverse MTB

Route profile

I emailed Kiwi Mountain Bikes the night before and I checked my emails first thing in the morning and Ric from KMB said I could do it, so I rushed to get ready and get there for 9am. I met Ric checked the bike was okay, signed some papers and when another rider turned up we headed off to pick another two Americans and then to the start point

After a breifing we were off, the more experienced American zoomed off not to be seen again and I left the other two but saw them again after I had a puncture and they waited with me.

Bike front, view behind

After a while I left them behind again and I started to enjoy the ride. The track was a Fwd track with some gravel track, rutted mud and some steep rocky descents and a few stream crossings, where I took my shoes and socks off and carried the bike across.

One of the many stream crossings

The route was in spectacular forestry scenery with views of wooded valleys and volcanoes behind. The ride was great and I started to feel my lack of bike fitness at the end of the 46km route.

42 Traverse, Mt Puapehu in the background

It finished at Owhango, where I had a beer and huge sausage roll in a cafe before Ric picked me up.

Waterfall near the end

11-13th December 2013 Tongariro Northern Circuit NZ

Wednesday afternoon. I catch the Nakedbus at 1:30pm from National Park village and ten minutes later I'm in Whakapapa. I start the walk along the lower falls walk and then take the turn off on the Northern Circuit towards Mangatapopo hut.

The start

It's a hot day and the sun is out with a few wispy clouds. I pass a few other trampers coming the other way, on the final leg of the same walk but going anti-clockwise. There are some well made paths, boardwalks, steps and where the path is a little bit rough it is well marked by stakes.

The track, Ngauruhoe on the right

I catch up with a couple of swiss girls and chat with them for a bit and then head off at my own pace. I make it to Mangatapopo hut in just over two hours so I have a long time to kill. The hut is basic but still has gas stoves and water (from the roof) and a seperate toilet block. I hang out and play cards with a very international group consisting off swiss, Israeli, Canadian... before heading to bed.

View from the hut

Thursday morning, I wake at about 5am and set off at 5:30. Its light and both the summits mount Ngauruho and Tongariro are clear as there is very little clouds around. I start up the track and start ascending after the soda springs.

Mount Taranaki in the distance

I pass two guys working the tracks (even earlier start for them) and they point out mount Taranaki (highest mountain on the north island, also sum 100 miles away). I carry on and as I near the crater I see the turn off for Mount Ngaurahoe, so I do.

The foot of Mount Doom (Ngaurahoe)

At the foot of the imposing volcano I drop my bag and just take my emergency kit and head upwards. It was a long ascent up a steep incline, with very loose scree. After reaching the summit, I walk to the top and enjoy amazing 360 views and also get an impressive look into the crater.

Ruapehu from the top of Ngaurahoe

I head back down the scree slopes and perfect my ski technique so i'm back down to my pack in no time. I then carry on along the track and as I cross along the flat bottom of South Crater i'm walking past masses of people doing the day walk , the Northern Crossing. After going up past Mangatapopo Saddle I turn off to the summit of Mount Tongariro where eat some Camembert, bread and nuts.

From the top of  Mount Tongariro

I then continue back along the track passing the Red Crater and Emerald lakes. The track then leaves the Northern Crossing and down Oturere Valley where I don't see anyone until I come to Oturere hut where I share a chat and tea with a French Polynesian man.

Emerald Lakes

After tea I then had a three hour walk along what felt like a desert and then an uphill and downhill through a forest to come to the Waihohonu Hut, where I was rather worn out. Its still only about 3pm so I read, sit in the sun, walk to an old historic hut and wash in a river to pass the time before eating and going to bed.

River by Oturere Hut

Friday morning I wake having had loads of sleep. I get off about 7 and head to Whakapapa. I walk along a flatter section through volcanic wasteland with Mount Ngauruhoe on one side an the higher Mount Ruapehu on the other.

Back on track

It's another dry day but is cooler as the sun is behind cloud. After a couple of hours I come to Tama Saddle and I take the route off to Tama Lakes, first coming to the lower lake and then after an uphill to the upper lake viewpoint. I realize I have loads of time so I continue along a ridge off the track and up a steep uphill to the top of an unamed peak.

Upper Tama Lake

After getting a good view of the lava flows on the southern slopes of mount ngauruhoe I head back down to the main track. I rejoin the Northern Circuit track and head towards Whakapapa. The track was long and this part had a lot of undulations.

Taranaki Falls

As the track neared its end I passes Taranaki falls and then finished in Whakapapa with a three hour wait for the 3:45 bus back to National Park village.

Me on top of Mount Doom