The other week on Wellington Regional Anniversary weekend (Monday 25th January), I decided to walk back up Boulder Hill as it had been 9 months since I first went up that hill and wanted to see how I feared now that I had been on this walking lark for the past 10 months (10 months! Man how time flies!). This time I took a friend with me (the same friend that went on the Rimataka Incline walk with me on New Years Eve).
We set off about mid mourning, I won’t be going into great detail on the ascent as that can be read about in my previous posting on this walk. But I did find the walk up a lot easier than the last time. The first section of 4wd track I did without really much effort at all, and didn’t actually need to stop for a rest for the entire ascent, which took us 1 hr 20 mins. I was quite happy with that effort actually. It was quicker than last time which took about 1 hr 40 mins. We only paused for a brief rest (no sandwiches this time, i’m a serious walker now, not a picnic-er) and time to pose for photos and we were off down the hill.
Me at the to of Boulder Hill
Once again, I was pretty happy with the initial descent as my knees were not hurting at all really. My feet were, and my blisters were coming back. But we stopped at the park bench where the Boulder Hill track meets the “Dry Creek Loop” track. There I put on my new remedy for blisters – Hiker’s Wool – which is basically just a slightly washed sheep wool you stuff in your sock next to the area that is rubbing and hurting, and it stops it rubbing and hurting. Simple, but brilliant and effective. I’ve been using it a lot since then. The only other pain I was having was from my black toe, courtesy of my previous walk up the Rimataka Incline.
It was at this point we made a slightly ill advised decision. Drawing on my vague memory of the park map, and making a best guest, I asked my companion if she would like to turn off here and return via the Dry Creek Loop track. Thinking that it would be the same distance and difficulty as what we came up.
She foolishly agreed with my suggestion and off we went.
It wasn’t the same length, it was 3 km longer.
It wasn’t the same difficulty, there were some significant hills and declines on the way.
I was not impressed with myself. It was a hot day. I hadn’t packed snacks (although luckily had enough water), and my friend was just getting over a cold (and as it turns out, had an infection).
Although she is much fitter than I am, she started to feel pretty ill and faint as we progressed further and further along. She did an amazing job actually, as me in the same position would have been in tears. It did make me kick myself for making such a rookie mistake as taking an unfamiliar path. But we made it out no harm or foul, so all’s well that ends well.
Belmont Regional Park Map
Overall though I am pretty happy with how I managed the walk. Besides the frustration of going sideways when I thought we were going forward, and making a poor route decision, I managed the track, hills, and declines well. Much better than 9 months ago.
It is now only 2 months until I do the Milford Track. I feel my fitness is coming along well. I am now picking up the effort in my walking and trying to try hard at the dieting. I worry about my stamina on prolonged and steep uphills. But although I may struggle, I do recover quickly once the hill is over, or I stop for a breather. Which does give me confidence that I can cope with what the Milford Track will throw at me.
I need to turn my mind again to equipment and clothing for the walk, as I am not happy with some of the things I have. But that is the fun part.
WELL DONE YOU.