Kahurangi calls us ... our return

  Planned a 4 day walk on the Heaphy Track a week or so after our last stroll.

 Day one ... leaving Kohaihai River behind and heading to Scott's beach and beyond to Katipo Creek Shelter for a morning break, wind at our back and packs a little heavy we push forward 4 hours to reach Heaphy Hut for lunch and time to share our life force with the local sand fly population.
 Continue on to Lewis Hut for our first night, amble alongside the Heaphy River for 2 hours or so to reach Heaphy bridge, 149 m long an engineering feat of excellence, wide enough for mountain bikes to negotiate and support 10 walkers at one time.
 Arrival at Lewis by 2 pm, down packs and boots off. Time to relax and reflect upon the travelling of the day, a visit by a local helicopter shakes the hut alive, assist in the unloading of coal to fuel the huts fire place... thanks Wayne.

Day two ... earlyish rise to tackle the ascent to James Mackay Hut, a gradual climb through many forest terrains, leaf litter of beech trees to rocky outcrops, track is narrow at places and water scored, due for track reforming in the coming months. 
Department of Conservation is repairing sections along the trail and replacing Huts to retain a Great Walk status to compare to others of the South Island. 
 Arrival at Mackay is quite a relief for us as we struggled with the weight on our backs, a time to rethink the load we carry, have a cup of tea then organise our sleeping area, its now time for dinner, talk with some other trampers and DOC staff. Sleep.

 Day three ... My pack is heavier as I carry all food to lighten my companions pack, we travel much better this time downhill toward Lewis hut for breakfast of Nasi Goreng, a freeze dried meal. Pack up again and continue to Heaphy Hut for our last night, early arrival about 11 am we clean ourselves and our clothes, hang to dry on this sunny day, hampered by sand flies we retreat indoors to rest and consume more of our payload to lighten our exit to the park the following day. 
 A short walk to the beach and photo ops to capture the moment and reflect on the past few days, body is feeling good and spirits are high. We retire for the night and rest well.

 Day four ... On the track again, we lead the way along the best section of the Heaphy, the coast is wild with constant drizzle rain on this day, the sea on our shoulder and haste in our step, continue to the Kohaihai car park where we meet other walkers following us to this destination. 
 Karamea is a short 16 kilometres away ... home.