Sep 8 day 8 Apple Dam Camp to Puketi Camp 25 km 7:30 – 3:00

Finally a really beautiful day. Early part on a forest track past many Kauri Trees, and by mid-morning descended down an old atv track through the high rushes to the Mangapukuhukuhu Stream which I then hiked straight down the middle of it for about 3k. It was just like a scene out of The River Queen. Ended up at the Whakapaku River and had to wade across it. The most difficult part then was a track that went along the river for about 4k as it was slippery and in places non-existent. Eventually it climbed out of the valley and met up with another forest road, to a really nice DOC campsite with toilets, running water, etc. got there early enough to spread things out to dry in the sun. The hut was occupied by a detachment of NZ SAS soldiers training In the nearby jungle who made a lot of noise during the night but still, best day so far.