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IanB

@_ian_b_

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Does anyone know whose boat this is down by Island Bay Wharf? It looks like it’s about to hit the hard and I think it’s anchored in a cable zone by @_ian_b_

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21 days ago

One of my faves last night, #Ladi6 at Te-Karanga-a-Hape Matariki with Sam by @_ian_b_

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3 months ago

… oh yeah happy New Year everyone! Hope you have a great 2026 🌺 by @_ian_b_

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10 months ago

Thanks Mitch for the awesome sub last night. To quote myself, “Seriously the best sub I’ve ever had”. Great little venue as well on Ponsonby Road. Really enjoyed talking to Renée the owner and your creative mates. Also great to see Sam helping out in the kitchen.

Go check them out. You will not regret it. Opening night:
Saturday 18th October,
39 Ponsonby Rd
@thegrandmeatball
@mitchonthestreet by @_ian_b_

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a year ago

Going going gone…
… and reborn as Kitenui by @_ian_b_

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a year ago

Te Araroa log, 8 January, Day 62, 25 kms, 914 completed, 483 to go, Hāwea to Kathy and Andrew's place Wānaka

Woke up in our little tent behind the Hāwea Hotel. Catching up with Jill today for breakfast so we packed up our tent and headed down early. Got a quick coffee and scone while we were trying to figure out where we were going to stay tonight.

Kit got a text from a friend, Kathy who lives in Wanaka asking where we were staying. Accommodation in Wanaka is difficult to find at this time of year so we gratefully accepted Kathy and Andrew offer to stay at theirs.

Jill turned up and we had a lovely conversation. She bought us breakfast which was a lovely treat. Then we headed along the Canal path and then the river toward Wanaka. We had a pleasant lunch on the side of the river.

When we reached Albert town we departed from the TA Trail and headed straight for Wanaka.

We stopped at the Mountain warehouse to change my second pole and then Macpac to check out gear and then a couple of other Mountain shops to enquire about the issues with Kits shoes. Then we headed to Big Fig and had a fantastic lunch... Possibly the best meal we’ve had since starting the TA.

Just a quick 20 minutes later after negotiating Wanaka suburbs we arrived at Kathy and Andrews house and all their pets. Andrew entertained us until Kathy came home from a running meet and was lovely to spend time with him chatting and getting them over a beer and a glass of wine. by @_ian_b_

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2 years ago

Te Araroa log, 16 December, Day 39, 2189.3 km mark. Christchurch

Spent a great week in Christchurch with Suz and Jim enjoying great food, good company and fun times. Caught up with many of Kit‘s friends including Pope, Helen and Jacqui at a barbecue when Jim and I got into strife by having loud contentious conversations while drinking way too much of Jim’s gin. Also fun catching up with Marcie for lunch.

Karen and I took the opportunity to replenish some supplies and replace broken gear. Karen is now onto her 3rd pair of shoes. Sewed up my gaiters and replaced a pole. We are feeling refreshed and ready to get back on the trail. by @_ian_b_

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2 years ago

Te Araroa log, 8 December, Day 31, 2152.2 km mark, 425.5 completed, 900.3 to go, Hurinui Hut to Hurinui #3 Hut.

After going to bed around 9pm last night we heard the tromp of feet on the deck around 10, some faffing and eventually the door opening and closing. In the morning we met James who is a youngish guy just finishing an economics degree. We had a good chat and finally left around 10 am.

Not a long day ahead but it was raining so we donned the wet gear and shuffled out into it. The track was easyish, travelling up the true right bank of the Hope for around 10 km to the No 3 Hut. The route was beech forest and river terraces and stone. As the afternoon got on the rain started to ramp up, then wind gusts that nearly took your feet out and then brief sunny intervals, like the weather gods were at war.

About 2/3rds of the way up there is a great hot pool guarded by ferocious sandflies. The trick is to get into your togs and run up the small stony path dodging the various cow pats and jump into the pool while you still have legs to jump with. The temperature was ideal and I did have a wee cognac fantasy. The area here is farmed and it’s clear from the strategic location of the cow pats that the cows like the hot water… sometimes in difficult to access areas like at the top of a small rock climb. I had this Far Side memory of the cows swanning around enjoying the pools (perhaps with a cognac in hoof), until one of them says, ‘Quick a human’, and they all jump out and pretend to eat grass again.

So we arrived at the hut and met Zara, a kiwi living in Alice springs. The hut is quite nice. Triple bunked, a great firebox that warmed the place up and boiled some water for tea. The rain got heavier after 4pm and I could see how we might approach the 111 mm of rain forecast for today.

Had a lovely evening with Beef stroganoff, chocolate custard and a cup of tea. Interesting conversations with Zara and James. by @_ian_b_

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2 years ago

Te Araroa log, 2 December, Day 25, 2084.6 km mark, 357.9 completed, 967.9 to go, Anne Hut to Boyle Flat Hut

Everyone had gotten up and gone by the time we got up. Running out of food again so reduced breakfast rations. 8.55 am on the track and I was hungry already.

The track was moderately interesting following the river upstream as it petered out towards Anne Pass. Then we went over the top. Mitch developed an Achilles issue that plagued him for the rest of the day. Sam powered ahead and was fairly constantly leading.

Down the other side we had lunch at 12. 7km to go. We stopped at Rokeby Hut which was almost original condition, with a coal range and 3 canvas hammock bunks. Apparently Dan stayed there last night (later found out he was in a tent because the sandflies were so bad).

Finally we arrived at Boyle Flat Hut around 2.30pm. Went for a dip and clean in a small water hole at the side of the river. Mitch was in first.

The problem with arriving early to a hut is that you have to entertain yourself for a long time till dinner. We all were hanging out for the meal by the time it arrived even though we are all well over Radix freeze dried. No more for a while yay!

In bed by 8pm whiling the time till 9 by @_ian_b_

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2 years ago

Te Araroa log, 1 December, Day 24, 2067.2 km mark, 340.5 completed, 985.3 to go, Waiau Hut to Anne Hut.

Sleep in today. Normal breakfast routine.

Intention to start at 9 and that was the time Kit and Sam left. Mitch and I stayed at the hut a further 20 minutes.

It was a long day. 26 km of valley walking with not much to break the monotony. Some river crossings added some spice and sections with large trees over the track.

At one point Karen had to sort out her period. She went into the bushes at the side of the track. I suggested the guys move on and in true form they were slow to get up. Karen came out of the bushes and basically snapped at them to start walking! They didn’t waste any more time and she had the privacy she needed.

We were all very ready when Anne Hut came in to view… basically a cottage in a large field although quite modern with 20 bunks in 2 rooms. Dan had left for the next hut (or possibly to tent) and Kansas Sam was here. There were another couple James and Lisa in the tent, and Clarence from Belgium turned up later after walking all the way from Blue Lake Hut (42 kms).

Boyle Flat Hut tomorrow. by @_ian_b_

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2 years ago

Te Araroa log, 28 November, Day 21, 2017.6 km mark, 290.9 completed, 1034.9 to go, Upper Travers Hut to West Sabine Hut

Nice day for the Travers Pass. Started up the hill through the bush, Sam in front. Stunning views walking through the head of the Travers catchment. Up and around from the hut at 1320m to the pass at 1775m.

The far side of the pass dropped rapidly down to the tree line and onwards… down to 950m. Sam developed an issue with his knees feeling sore and unstable. Then his Achilles started playing up. We nursed him down the hill and things improved as the slope levelled out. Both boys were nursing open blisters which we had taped up.

Arrived at the hut around 3pm, had a wash in the river and a cup of noodle soup. Then pretty much lay around doing not much for the afternoon. Dan turned up around 5pm then Sam (from Kansas) 20 minutes later. Mitch lit a fire outside for entertainment while we chatted with Kansas Sam.

We had a conversation with Dan about the option of camping in the valley on the northern side of the pass. Aside from being an amazing experience, doing this would help even out the number of hours we would spend for the following two days walking out the valley (tomorrow’s 3 hour easy hike could be lengthened to 5 hours and the 2 subsequent 9 hour days shortened to around 8 hours each). We had a team meeting and the boys agreed. Dan went a bit quiet. I think he wanted the valley to himself. Turns out Kansas Sam will to camp with us in the valley too.

BBQ beef freeze dried and chocolate mousse for dinner. by @_ian_b_

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2 years ago

Day 4. 1772km mark
Woke up around 6 with the light shining into the tent. I was hiding under the sleeping bag so I could snooze but eventually gave in and got up.
Coffee and breakfast and on the trail by 9 am. Walking along the ridge up and down. Eventually we hit Portage and stopped for a muesli bar. Then a big climb to the top of the ridge and on and up for a total of 300 m vertical then stopped for lunch… a tortilla with some cheese and tuna and a cup of coffee again. Then the slow descent down to mistletoe Bay. We hadn’t planned to go to the bay proper but since we were running out of water we thought we could go down and have an ice cream and fill up our water bladders. We hitched a ride back up the road to the track with a local from Anakiwa. He was very friendly and dropped us at the trail end again for us to continue on. Some distance in Karen’s foot started to hurt so we took it easy to Davies Bay and our campsite for the night. Had a quick swim in the local creek to clear off the clags and then dressed up toasty warm as a cool breeze set in. Freeze-dried again… Can’t wait by @_ian_b_

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2 years ago