Howdy folks!
Day Two – Batten Down the Hatches
A shocking weather forecast meant we hit the Tongariro Northern Circuit earlier than planned and all started out well. But tiredness makes you do some funny things and 20 minutes in we realised that we had started the circuit the wrong way round – no way were we going to back track! Unfortunately that meant we would be heading into the steepest terrain of any of the seven runs in the worst weather, and when it hit it was hold on for dear life. Icy 50 km/hour winds followed by hail dogged our progress as we fought our way up the huge scree slopes, definitely not for the faint hearted. The last section of the run is known as “The Ditch”and the torrential rain had turned the track in to a torrent of water – picture part running part canyoning for an hour and a half and you would be close. All up the run took eight and a half hours – an hour more than we had hoped for – but I still rated it – it was an adventure. 
My fellow runners, Graeme, Greg and Lisa were guardian angels and everyone finished up unscathed despite the freezing temperatures. By the time we wound up, my trusty side-kick Sal had been trying to make alternative plans to get us to leg three – The Abel Tasman Coastal Track – as the shocking weather had grounded the plane. We had Plan B – to drive to Taihape and meet the pilot there and hope to hit clear skies. A moment of elation when we arrived to the sun shining was soon dashed as the pilot had just been told another big front was on the way. So, Plan C .. we drove to Wellington – all the while on the phone working out the best options – take the risk and fly at 6am in the morning on Sounds Air or get the ferry tonight. We’ve decided to play it safe and we’re leaving on the 9pm ferry to Picton – arriving at midnight – then a five am start in the morning to get to the start of the track. Thanks to everyone who has been texting and sending messages – keep them coming – they make my day .. and a massive thanks to The Park Travellers Lodge, National Park who last night held an auction to support “7 in 7”and raised a whopping three and a half thousand dollars … and fed and watered us and even got up at 5am to make us breakfast and coffee … legends.
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I can hear your crazy whooping from here. Tough day, tough transition. Tomorrow will be better. Enjoy the run with Karen and Koo and make sure you point in the right direction at the start. Thanks for a fun weekend at Lake Waikaremoana, looking forward to another epic one next weekend. You are making me feel frightening lazy you sod …
Way to go Mal! On Day Two sounds like you are doing this the hard way but what an adventure! Kia kaha.
Keep on keeping on Mal
Mal,
Well done for achieving leg 2 in what must have been terrible conditions. I was following you on SPOT during the day and got real worried when I saw that you had not lodged a spot for some hours. A running friend and I met last night on the way to a yoga class and logged on to find still no sign of movement so I am very pleased you succeeded with out mishap and injury. Hope that you get through today and get a good nights sleep this evening.
good luck for the rest of the week. We are all with you in spirit if not actually and will be watching your progress with hope and encouragement.
Tim
WOW Mal, Lisa, Graeme and Greg – what an adventure… Kevin assures me that the weather forecast for the Routeburn is good! See you there, and all the best for the Abel Tasman today and Heaphy tomorrow!
Good vibes for great weather on the Abel Tasman!! Don’t you just wish you could stop for a swim and a bit of a kick back?? Go well, keep safe.
Surely it can’t get any worse than that? If you made that one you can do anything bro – so keep going.
Quite a few relatives in UK are following your progress, so with luck you should get some more donations too.
Hi Mal,
YOU ARE THE HERO!!
What an epic, in all that weather, water, wind.
But you did it. Keep going.
You can do it,
Viv
hey Mal your a legend, keep it up. Following is email I got from a friend who has endured me bleating on about running the Kepler for the first….. and probably only time this coming Saturday!!
“Saw a chap on tv this morning who is running seven of the national parks in seven days culminating with the Keppler !!
So what are you worried about!!!”
He is doing it to raise funds for leukemia. Running the equivalent of 9 marathons in seven days.
Good on him!!”
Just glad I’ll have you as inspiration when going gets tough on Saturday
Cheers
Merv
Hey Mel, have been thinking about you, sending you good energy reserves and hoping you are having a better day today. We’re just packing bags and getting ready for the pilgrimage to the Beuatiful South. You are an inspiration. See you soon. Bern, John and Lily
big ups Mal. You’re doing it, and all in good humour and with strong spirit. Forecast is looking good for Fiordland. Keep it coming. See you Thursday. Al
Mal, you and your fellow runners are totally awesome and truly inspiring. Loving following your progress. All of Westmere is willing you (and your knees) on!