Going Solo

I decided to give solo hiking a try

My first attempt was not the most difficult of walks but setting out alone I was responsible for everything from the menu, timing, pace and my safety. I chose a 2 day hike to Pinnacles Hut in the Coromandel, at 80 bunks this is the largest hut in the country. The guide book rates the trail as easy-medium and it was less than 3 hours drive from home to the start. Tipped as popular walk I planned my trip for Thursday to Friday to avoid the weekend crowds, it would defeat the purpose of going hiking alone if the trail was busy.

With no one to act as a pace meter I was puffing up the hills at my pace. Actually I puffed up them a little faster than I expected and surprised myself at the time I made. As a result of my haste I sacraficed some enjoyment and appreciation of the forest I was visiting. It was an easy track to follow, apart from clearly signposted junctions with other routes the only choice once I got going was between crossing rivers via the wet boot or swing bridge method. On all but one occasion I opted for wet boots. Call me crazy but I just like blisters better than bouncing and wobbling on semi taut wire ropes suspended above rocky rivers. I never expected to be given the choice but since the bridges were posted as Flood Routes and the rivers were clearly not in flood it would not have been sporting to use them. Apparently I am in a minority, other trampers I talked to seem to prefer the dry wobble than the wet one.


Not having challenged my dislike of heights on the river crossings I dumped my pack at the hut and braved the side trip to the top of The Pinnacles. Ladders, another personal favourite, were employed as an alternative to rock climbing, this time I took the assisted route. For the final scramble DoC had installed iron loops stuck firmly into the rocks to help when scrambling over and around bigger boulders near the edge of an un-quantified drop.


In the ascent I used a significant amount of will power to propel me upwards so I was determined to take the time to enjoy the peace and sunshine. Further reward was the chocolate I carried up in case of emergency, with a fear of heights the mere thought of being at the top of a place called The Pinnacles counts as an emergency. After half an hour trying to relax and appreciate the panorama I braved the decent. If I hadn't already had the chocolate I would probably have needed it before heading back down the ladders.



The hut was palatial - built to accommodate 80 people, there were only 5 others spending the night, 2 German backpakers and 3 middle aged Kiwi ladies.

I slept well but at dawn I was awake as others got up to pack and go. With only 4 hours walk out and all day to do it I was in no hurry and was looking forward to walking alone. I didn't start breakfast until I had waved them off. I managed to transport a raw egg in my pack without it smashing, my reward was a fried egg sandwich for breakfast (gourmet camping).

The clouds provided me with company for my walk, the rain held back its decent to coincide with mine. Immediately on setting out I was startled by the first day tripper to arrive at the hut, he practically ran into me, he was trying to escape the rain, moments later another and then peace again. A short way further along the ridge the track ran alongside electricity pylons (of the shortish wooden variety), from the loud buzzing above me I assume that the rain was not welcome. The sound of angry pylons was motivation for me to up the pace until their route cut away down the valley away from mine. Soon after this I had to stop to let a "jogger" past. Within half an hour he was passing me again on his way back down - annoyingly he was not even out of breath, my excuse was that I was carrying a heavy pack! I didn't see another soul until I reached the car park at the end by which point my main concern was to see if the car would start.