Summer is here
26°C.
All of a sudden, it’s summer.
Blue skies. Warm temperature.
Considering the hills had some snow this time last week, it’s a welcome change.
I’ve been getting more active and testing my achilles tendon. It started with a big day getting up Fringed Hill, and an almost 800 m climb, albeit on a four-wheel-drive road in excellent condition for the most part, and some suburban asphalted streets.
That tested extensive hill climbing and descent, although it took a few days to recover fully.
Last weekend, I walked from Tōtaranui to Anapie Bay with just a 120 m climb. No problem powering up and down the slopes.
Two days later, getting to Deep Creek Biv up the Cobb Valley was a mini-expedition. I camped in the Cobb campground, just about getting blown away with the gale force winds, and then had a ten-hour day climbing up onto the Cobb Range, from 820 to 1400 m, then dropping and re-climbing 200 m elevation down to the Biv in a cross country bash, no track there, but the forest is fairly open although by no means flat. Lots of sponginess underfoot that proved a test for tendons and muscles.
It was turned into a loop where, fortunately, I hitchhiked the last 2 km: just under 30,000 steps or 20.5 km for the round-trip.
I’ve another week here in Nelson before I set off south on a summer series of overnight tramping experiences. It’s going to take that long to organise my supplies.
After last summer in a moon boot, there’s a bit to catch up on.
And acquiring a body that is once again accustomed to more vigorous pack-carrying activities.