Te Araroa, Day 99

It rained heavily last night and continues into the morning, so we're waiting for it to stop. When I emerge from the tent, I see freshly snow-covered mountain tops. It looks beautiful.
We begin our walk at 8 am. It's very cold, around 4 degrees Celsius and I wear gloves for the first time. The morning trek involves fording multiple rivers. The ice cold water makes the feet hurt when walking through. Following the markers we also have to walk in lots of dry, rocky river beds. 

We hope to be able to deviate from the Te Araroa walker markers onto a 4-wheel-drive road, but we find fences and warning signs everywhere, as the mountains are owned by a large station. The deviation is not possible.
After about 15 km, we reach a gravel road, with nearly 30 km left to the next possible camping/accommodation at Lake Coleridge. We take a break by the road, where I eat one of my freeze-dried dinners. After lunch we  continue on that most scenic rural road. Unfortunately my back pain and the muscle that is cramping up becomes unbearable and I have to stop. A hunter is willing to take me to our destination planned for tomorrow (Methven).

I hand over my water supply to X, as water is scarce along this road, and hop into the car. In Methven there is a resupply box and a new backpack waiting for me. I also hope to find a physiotherapist there tomorrow (Monday).

Upon arrival in Methven, I book a room and on the way there I pass a Medical Centre and Physiotherapist, planning to see them first thing the next morning.

After dropping off my belongings, I set out my tent to dry and make a trip to the supermarket for supplies before finally being able to rest. My back is in muscle cramping mode now no matter what position I am in. I try exercises but nothing really helps at that point.