Day one started off rough - I woke up to a nagging backache and Jingle Bell Rock playing in my head. I'm still not sure which was worse. After porridge, coffee and making the most of the last flushing toilets for the next 24 hours, we headed up the Gentle Annie Track. Going up, it wasn’t as gentle as its name. Who hurt you Annie?! Later on we learned that compared to the Mt Holdsworth Track, Annie was indeed gentle.

My friend Tia and I had planned to do the Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit (2N/3D), staying at Powell Hut, then Jumbo Hut. Unfortunately, the weather forecast for day two was crap - 30mm of rain and up to 100km/hr wind gusts crap. Not ideal to cross the tops of the Tararua Ranges. We decided to save the circuit for another day and just go to Powell Hut for the night.

This was my first time hiking in the Tararua Ranges, not surprising since they're six hours drive from Whakatāne. I’ve always been told that hiking there was gnarly, steep, and so breathtakingly stunning. It keeps you honest, humble and rewards those who don’t let all those f*cking stairs defeat them.

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