Tongariro Forest to Ketetahi Rd

Wednesday 16th Feb 24.3 km 7hrs

Off along the unmarked but clear enough Waione - Cokers track. But I followed it closely via GPS and my detailed maps, because the maps showed a lot of other tracks too - mostly quite obscure anyway. DOC uses the track for pest control / kiwi conservation and amazingly appear to take 4 wheeler bikes along it - parts of it are really rugged for anything other than walking.

Across the rushing Mangatepopo Stream just before it reaches the Whanganui River, then on through the forest. The last section was supposed to be in better condition, but that was where the real mud pools turned up. Then onto sealed roads, via SH47 and SH46 to the busy metropolis of the Ketetahi Rd carpark - for most people this is where their Tongariror Crossing ends.

After 5 days without Hazel, my faithful support crew, we both arrived at the carpark at the same time