This is really an interactive and short informative article to let you know what I am wanting to do in New Zealand, why I am wanting to do it, and some general information.


Q: What is the Te Araroa?

A: The Te Araroa (or TA) is a long distance walking route running from the very top of New Zealand, Cape Reinga, to the very bottom of New Zealand, Bluff. Te Araroa is Maori for “The Long Pathway” – an apt name!

There are a whole series of long distance hikes (or thru-hikes) around the world and this is the one that I am wanting to do. Others include the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Appalachian Trail (AT), Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in the States or the Transcaucasian Trail (TCT) in Georgia and Armenia, the Great Himalaya Trail. There is a new one being developed in France and several other ones around the world, such as in Patagonia.

Q: How long is it, distance- and time-wise?

A: The TA is 3000km long, running from Cape Reinga, along beaches, through rainforests and jungles, along coastal cliffs, into and back out of cities, along rivers and over mountains all the way to the bottom of the South Island, Bluff. This will take me roughly 4-5 months. I am starting on Hallowe’en 2022 (auspicious) and hoping to finish early to mid March 2023.

Q: OK. But why are you wanting to do this?

A: This is the hardest question to try and answer. The short answer is, I want a physical and mental challenge that will push me to the limits. I want an adventure.

The long answer is this. I have spent the last 20 years in education. Before lockdown, I came across thru-hiking as a concept and during the lockdown after sitting chained to a desk every day without the opportunity to go outside much, I decided that I would like to complete a thru-hike as an (almost) reward for finishing. Something to promise myself that I would do if I tried my hardest. And it worked! I got a First.

I love the outdoors. I love the exertion of climbing a hill, the sweet drive to get to the top. To get to the end. To finish strong. What I wanted is a challenge that’ll give me that.

And therefore, this is perfect. I enjoy hiking. I love the outdoors. I am hiking and travelling through a wonderful country, New Zealand. This is what I want to do and I am only grateful that I have the time, energy and resources to attempt it!

Q: But how about food? And water? And relaxation?

A: I will be passing through towns every 3-10 days, so I can stock up with food along the way. The Richmond Ranges is the only point where I’ll have to pack a box to send ahead to myself, full of food. That will be nerve-wracking, but an exciting experience.

As for water, there is plenty of water in New Zealand! The issue is cleaning about it though, this ain’t the Scottish Highlands after all! I have purification tablets though, and I can always boil it if need.

But also, I can’t be walking for 4-5 months flat. Therefore, I will be taking zero days. Days in a town or city, doing literally the definition of nothing. Resting up, organising stuff, replacing broken equipment.

Q: So you’ll be camping for the entire way?

A: That’s right! Or at least, the vast majority. In NZ there is an amazing hut network, especially on the South Island. Therefore, there will be opportunities to stay under a roof!

When I pass through cities and towns, if I stay the night, I also have the opportunity to stay in a hostel or similar. That means a hot shower! Luxury! I have a friend in Auckland at least that has offered her back garden to pitch up for a night at least!

Q: Will you be doing anything else other than hiking in NZ?

A: My main goal is to hike the TA, but if opportunities arise to do other stuff, I’ll probably grab it with both hands. For instance, I have bought tickets to a Jacob Collier concert in Auckland, and I have a fancy to see the glow worm caves too in Waitomo. My flight is booked for 28/03/23 back to Sydney, so if I finish before then, I might do some touristy things for sure!

Q: What are you taking with you then?

A: So most of my camping stuff. You can look on the gear page up above. But as a quick rundown, I’ll have backpack (Osprey Atmos 65), tent (my second child, my Hilleberg Akto), sleeping bag and mat, food (5-10 days at a time), water, med kit, clothes, full waterproofs and a bunch of miscellaneous stuff. If you’re more interested, shoot me a private message and I can give you a full rundown!

And then bundles of positivity, energy, determination, tenacity and self-confidence.

Q: How about Christmas??

A: Yes, this will be spent on the trail I’m afraid! I’ll probably treat myself to a nice meal (not bought – nothing will be open!) and phone my parents. Or maybe stay in a hostel with friends I make on the trail.

Q: Are you worried or afraid of anything going wrong?

A: I know I am mentally strong enough. I am a positive person and don’t get in a funk too much. So from a quitting point of view, I don’t think I ever would.

From a physical standpoint though, nothing on the trail scares me. Not truly. What scares me is my body letting me down. I have a hip that hasn’t always cooperated in the past. I have stretches and physio exercises to keep it happy and I have walked over 500km on it so it should be fine, but is an annoying back-of-the-mind worry that I’ll have for the entire trip.

So I guess I am scared of my body failing me and not completing this goal I have had for the last three or four years.

But I think it is better to have pushed all my chips in, risk it all and take a chance living, doing something challenging and remarkable than sitting at the table, counting my chips and waiting for a winning hand, never knowing what one looks like. That’s my take at least.

Q: Does that mean I won’t be able to talk to you for 4-5 months?

A: No, not at all. I’ll have a phone and when I have signal, I see no reason why I won’t be contactable! I’ll probably be texting and messaging and phoning people as I go.

Q: I assume you don’t swim between the North and South Islands?

A: No, there is a ferry from Wellington to Picton. You all know I literally suck at swimming anyway!

Q: Will you be posting on this blog as you go along?

A: Yes! I have an idea of keeping a weekly update going. Pictures and updates of how I’m doing, what’s happened, what I’ve seen… Yeah! I’m excited! From my phone though so no knowing how it’ll turn out!! Maybe I’ll outsource it to my sister (I haven’t asked her permission for that yet). Maybe not. Time will tell.

Q: What section are you most looking forward to?

A: Pretty much the entire South Island, especially the Queen Charlotte Track and the Richmond Ranges. Basically, any mountains. The Tararuas above Wellington. Ninety Mile Beach. Milford Sound. Yeah… The whole thing really!

Q: What’s happening to your other travel bag whilst you hike?

A: A member of the trust for the TA takes international hikers’ bags and stores them for them for free. So incredibly kind. So I’ll be handing him my bag to be stored away for 4-5 months.

Q: Will you be Strava-ing the thru-hike?

A: No. Maybe the very odd section. Maybe the very beginning and end. But no, takes up too much battery life!

Q: Will you be hiking along, or with people?

A: There is a whole community of people who attempt this annually. Around 1000 people. The season for starting is October-November. So whilst I may start alone, I’ll most definitely be walking with a whole bunch of people throughout the hike! I’ve already spoken to a couple of people! We are planning to catch a ride up to Cape Reinga together from Auckland!

Q: What’s gonna happen with the hair situation? Cut it? Beard? Let it grow?

A: Yeah, I don’t know. I think I’m going to let my hair grow out. That could be fun. No shampoo, but there are streams and rivers to briefly wash it, as well as the occasional hot shower! I can’t grow facial hair though, or at least, not fully. So I think I’ll be taking a razor with me. I might get fed up with it and just leave it, see what happens, that could be hilarious!!

Q: What happens afterwards?

A: I finish at Bluff and I’ll then be traveling back up to Auckland to then fly home. That is done via coaches and ferries. I don’t really want to fly, trying to start as carbon neutral!

What’s next is a mystery. PhD maybe? I will apply for some jobs in London or abroad too. The next adventure of life starts!

Q: How are you feeling right now then?

A: Yeah, excited and positive. But also trepidatious, this will no doubt be tough and difficult. And I have that back-of-the-mind worry for my body not being happy. What I won’t want to do is flag out after 100km…. But positivity and excitement are the forefront emotions! All aboard the Hype Train!

Q: Where can I find out more information?

A: There is a wonderful website run by the Te Araroa trust! Here it is:

https://www.teararoa.org.nz/


Any other questions you may have, please post them underneath in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them! Happy times, and happy trails!

Comments (5)

  1. Riley

    Reply

    Very exciting!!! Best of luck. Hopefully this will be the physical and mental challenge you have been craving.

  2. Elyse

    Reply

    I have so many questions! Primarily, how are you so bloody adorable ?! Elyse and Imogen 🙃

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