Abel Tasman Path, New Zealand - July 2008 - Trip Report

This was touted as a three day hike along the coast-line but Nick (a chap I had met in New Zealand) and I only had two days for it. We planned to walk one way and then try to hitch a lift back. On the first day we covered about 2/3 of the distance before stopping in a designated wild camp. Here we learnt that wood chopping wasn’t our forte – a Kiwi who turned up produced more wood in about 5 minutes than we did in 30!

As we neared the end of our walking route on the 2nd day we made the decision to retrace our steps rather than try to hitch back. We only had 2 days available and it seemed that hitch-hiking would be risky (whereas if we walked we could definitely make it back that day). The plan worked, but it was a long day and we finished late in the evening.

On the route there is a bay which you can walk across, saving a few kilometres, if the tide is out. On the way out this had been fine but on the way back the tide started coming in and we were soon wading to our knees in sea water. As the tide rose we became more concerned and were relieved to reach the small island/large rock about halfway across – at least here we could spend a safe, if uncomfortable night, if required. We paused briefly for some respite and then (in our youthful naivety) decided to continue with our crossing. Probably not my smartest decision to date but at least we made it back to our car that evening!