New Zealand
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Te Araroa: Tongariro Crossing
19.12.2019 Day 60 (33km) Although the majority of the day was along a road, it was definitely a very special and worthwhile strip of road. For starters, there was a dancing ostrich…I mean come on, who doesn’t like dancing animals? As soon as it saw us coming, it rushed to the fenceline, throwing its wings up in its wake. Trev, Robyn, and I snapped photos and videos while it continued to strut and toss its feathers up. Little did we know, our animal encounters had just begun. Farther along, where the sealed road turned to gravel, we got roped into assisting a farmer with herding his sheep 3km down the…
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Te Araroa: Egmont National Park
10.12.2019 Day 51 (0km) It may have been a zero day, but it wasn’t a rest day. I spent the morning at the library, then made a split second decision to hop on a bus to New Plymouth to do a bit of off-trail hiking. I’ll be making up a few kilometers around Mt Taranaki, which is not a part of the Te Araroa, before heading back to Taumarunui to do the 42nd Traverse and Tongariro Crossing. Hopefully, by then the weather will have improved. Day’s Highlights: Having a lie in this morning. 11.12.2019 Day 52 (10km) We made a hitching sign, unsure if it would help or hinder our…
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Te Araroa: The Whanganui River Journey
03.12.2019 Day 44 (5km) Due to a very rainy and miserable weather forecast, I spent today changing all my plans. I didn’t see the point in hiking through thick mud and climbing a mountain I’ve been dying to see, only to not be able to see it. So, I elected to do the canoeing portion of the TA first, then backtrack to do the Tongariro crossing. I did make a point of walking to the canoe hire, which is part of the trail, so it wasn’t a complete rest day. Day’s Highlights: Awesome hitch back to the Holiday Park 04.12.2019 Day 45 (33km kayak) Today was an absolute blast! In…
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Te Araroa: The Timber Trail
29.11.2019 Day 40 (32km) I finished putting up my tent just before the rain came. The flat patch of grass hidden amongst the pines in the timber yard would have fit more than one, but it appeared I would be the sole occupant for the night. It was only five, but already I wanted to lay down and close my eyes. I was getting used to 30km days, but the way had been uneven, always threatening to roll an ankle. From Te Kuiti, the TA hugged the side of a river, travelling up and down through the hills. It wasn’t long before the dew soaked through my shoes and I…
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Te Araroa: Mud and Mental Breaks
23.11.2019 Day 34 (23km) My trekking pole sunk in past the first joint and would have kept going if I hadn’t jerked it back. Knee deep mud, one misstep and I would get stuck, lose a shoe, or both. The climb up Pirongia was a peaceful forest track, with a relatively gradual climb, and a few steep bits that forced me to toss my poles ahead and scramble up with my hands. I was at ease, entirely in my element, alone in the forest. It was only after the hut at the summit that things got a bit muddy. At first there was a beautiful wooden boardwalk that kept me…
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Te Araroa: Pushing Past Hamilton
20.11.2019 Day 31 (23km) Some mornings prove difficult to get out of bed. Lately, I’ve found myself questioning why I’m putting myself through this hike. This morning was one of those days, fortunately the feeling was fleeting. After a 6km stretch of road (no I didn’t skip all the roads), I was immersed in a rooty forest. Drizzle drifted through the ferns, landing in soft kisses on my face. The scent of fresh earth fueled my steps as I climbed higher into the hills. Despite the damp weather, the mud was nothing compared to Puketi and Raetea. There was, however, a slight disagreement between my toes and one of the…
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Te Araroa: Roads
15.11.2019 Day 26 (8km kayak, 25km hike) Emotionally, this was the most difficult day thus far. It’s gotten me thinking about how I want to and why I am doing this hike. Up until today road walks were manageable, now I never want to see another road. Anyways, I’m getting ahead of myself. It was an easy start from Puhoi; I got to sleep in, have a cup or three of coffee, and casually stroll down to the kayak hire along the river. The 8km stretch of river wound its way through peaceful farmland and past the main highway south. The water transformed from murky brown to clear turquoise as…
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Te Araroa: Running From the Rain
10.11.2019 Day 21 (22km) We took out time this morning getting a lift back to the trail, stopping along the way for coffee. It was an easy yet difficult day. Difficult due to the amount of road walking, which kills my joints; easy in regards to the flat terrain. Dom and Nadia were staying with a friend in Waipu, whereas I was hiking on to Waipu Cove. It was the first night that I would arrive somewhere and not know anyone, which I found quite refreshing. A group I had heard about but never met happened to be staying at the campsite as well: Kate, Will, James, and Alex. We…
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Te Araroa: My Knee
5.11.2019 Day 16 (18km) Not gonna lie I was in heaps of pain today. My knee was absolutely killing me and unfortunately, the painkillers weren’t even touching it. We said an early goodbye to Rose and Hubert before heading into the forests of ferns and vines. Although the inclines and declines were nothing compared to what we had been through in the days prior, at one point I was seconds away from crying. Thankfully, the steps disappeared…by steps I mean roots and stones, and the slopes mellowed to gradual climbs. Sam and I walked together most of the day, chatting about life, our hopes for the trail, and travel. Near…
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Te Araroa: Northern Trail Magic
1.11.19 Day 12 (0km) My body was so grateful for a rest day. I slept in, resupplied, and hung out in the hot tub at my hostel, Centabay. It was definitely worth the extra day of walking to take a break in Paihia. Although the town was smaller than Kerikeri, it was absolutely beautiful, with beach views and the calming hush of waves. 2.11.2019 Day 13 (17km Kayaking, 15km hike) Today was magical! I had heard about trail magic before I started the trip, people going out of their way to be kind and help arriving when you need it most. Well, today was my first experience with it. On…
