Shadows of dusk were creeping across the ground as I shuffled into the Makahika Outdoor Pursuit Centre at the base of the Tararua Range. Twelve hours and 43km earlier, I’d left my campsite to begin plodding through forest, past a reservoir and over a couple of mountains, with a pack weighing about 15kg.
Other Te Araroa walkers shouted encouragement as I joined them: “You made it,” was the cry from one.
I was surpirsed. I didn’t think, when I started walking three months ago, that I’d do 40km plus in a day.
I was tired, but
