I got up and walked the Te Araroa is a factual account of my end-to-end (through) hike of the Te Araroa trail which runs 3,063 kilometres from the top of New Zealand to the bottom.The official trail was opened in 2012 although it has been in the planning for many years. It is mainly on trails; however, it also passes through some villages and cities.I narrate what I am seeing and feeling and of the people I meet. It will describe to the reader the many high and low points and daily physical and mental challenges that a 119 day end-to-end hike will put the hiker through.Stories of being dropped off by boat into a high security area and how I got out; of being called into Kiwis' houses to stay the night or just to have a coffee; falling down the side of a mountain into a raging icy-cold river and thinking it was all about to end.It was the hike of a lifetime and probably the best way to see New Zealand and its wonderful people.I have now completed several long walks around the world including Pacific Crest Trail this year, however Te Araroa is still one of my favourites.
A travel book of vivid encounters with the New Zealand's people and landscape along its famous long trail. When journalist Geoff Chapple wrote a newspaper article that set out a vision for a 2600-km hiking trail the length of New Zealand, he never imagined that he would become the trail blazer. Over five years he talked to farmers and landowners, seeing where the route might be possible. He then walked every step of an adventurous and remote off-road trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Chapple set up a trail-building and fund-raising body, the Te Araroa Trust, that has enlisted the support of mayors and councillors throughout New Zealand. Now hundreds of New Zealanders and overseas visitors walk all or part of the trail every year. This is the story of how an individual took up a dream and single-mindedly created a heritage for future generations to enjoy. 'I admire his energy and creativity and support the vision of a national trail. ' Sir Edmund Hillary ' A fine far-sighted quest.' Michael King
Te Araroa is a 3000km walking trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff, the world's newest long trail, and one of the world's longest. Te Araroa walkers will discover the great diversity of New Zealand's wilderness: the coastline, the forest, the volcanoes, the mountain passes, the lakes and river valleys. This fully updated walking guide is indispensable for those contemplating a through-hike, either in one go or over years, and also for those who simply wnat to walk any one of the trail's 115 stand-alone tracks.
A light hearted read from David's and Sue's versions of the Camino de Santiago in Spain! David is an experienced hiker having walked the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia, 1000 kilometres in 43 days and Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand, 3000 kilometres in 119 days and more recently the Pacific Crest Trail, 4,200 kilometres in 4 months and 8 days. Life is simple with his backpack full of food, equipment and tent, whereas Sue likes coffees, soft beds and showers. This was a compromise to walk at least once together on their six month backpacking trip around Europe.Walking 800 kilometres in seven weeks, approximately twenty kilometres a day was a challenge for both. David usually walks forty kilometres a day with a personal best of sixty kilometres in a day, so he had to slow down! For Sue this was just a challenge! However with lots of cafes and a hot shower and soft bed at the end of each day to look forward to, it was a great way to spend time in each other's company.David has gone back to packing his tent and continuing to walk the list of walks he wants to accomplish. While Sue is happy to wait at home and edit his journals. When he hikes overseas she will follow him in a train, bus, cruise or just do her own thing. With a husband and wife version of walking the Camino they are different in retelling their stories.Sit back with a coffee or beer and enjoy the read.
What would move you to ditch your life and take off into the wild for six months? For Melbourne woman Laura Waters, it took the implosion of a toxic relationship and a crippling bout of anxiety. Armed with a compass, a paper map and as much food as she could carry, she set out to walk the untamed landscapes of New Zealand’s Te Araroa track, 3000 kilometres of raw, wild, mountainous trail winding from the top of the North Island to the frosty tip of the South Island. But when her walking partner dropped out on the first day, she was faced with a choice: abandon the journey and retreat to the safety of home, or throw caution to the wind and continue on – alone. She chose to walk on. For six months, she battled not only treacherous mountain ridges and river crossings, but also the demons of self-doubt and anxiety, and the shadow of an emotionally abusive relationship. At the end of Te Araroa (‘the long pathway’, as it is translated from Maori) it was the hardearned insights into mental health, emotional wellbeing and fulfilling relationships – with others as well as with herself – that were Laura’s greatest accomplishments. She emerged ‘rewilded’, and it transformed her life.
Get ready for the out-of-the-ordinary adventure "Dude, Where's My Walking Stick?" Follow in the footsteps of Kevin Moore, an ordinary guy with an extraordinary spirit, as he embarks on a hilariously ill-prepared journey to conquer the rugged South Island section of New Zealand's legendary Te Araroa Trail. With little more than a backpack full of worn-out equipment, a few party favours and a hearty dose of determination, he's about to redefine what it means to take a walk on the wild side. In a world of meticulously planned treks and seasoned hikers, Kevin's quest is refreshingly unconventional. Armed with his trusty companion “Richard,” a sense of humour and sheer audacity, he tackles this challenging trail with a "just wing it" attitude. The results? Equal parts comedy and inspiration. From bewildering encounters with native wildlife to side-splitting misadventures with the incredible people he meets along the way, Kevin's journey is a laugh-out-loud rollercoaster ride through the unbelievably gorgeous landscapes of Aotearoa. But beneath the humour lies a deeper story of human resilience. The impulsive decision to undertake this gruelling 1304-kilometre journey was born from the sudden loss of his mother. The unwavering power of determination, the camaraderie forged with newfound friends, and the unexpected beauty of New Zealand's untamed wilderness serve as guiding lights, leading Kevin through the long pathway of his grief. "Dude, Where's My Walking Stick?" is not just a travel memoir; it's a testament to the enduring human spirit. Through Kevin's escapades and mishaps, you'll discover that sometimes, the most memorable journeys are the ones where you have no idea what you're doing. You'll be inspired to embrace spontaneity, break free from your comfort zone, and tackle life's challenges head-on. Whether you're an avid hiker, an armchair adventurer, or simply looking for a great read that will make you smile, "Dude, Where's My Walking Stick?" is the book you've been waiting for. It's a hilarious, heartwarming, and unforgettable tale of one man's audacious quest to conquer nature, himself, and the unknown. Join Kevin as he blazes through New Zealand’s long-distance trail, one misstep at a time, and discover that sometimes, the best adventures happen when you have no clue what you are doing. Grab your copy today, and get ready to laugh, cheer, and be inspired by "Dude, Where's My Walking Stick?"
Shedding years of societal conditioning that dictates school, work and life, Patrice and Justin La Vigne do their best to maintain a nomadic whimsy. However, this nontraditional life presents just as many moments of joy and grace as moments of stress and hardship. It's in the rawness of long-distance hiking that the couple builds confidence to continue their "life less ordinary." In 2014-15, Patrice and Justin opted for the human-powered route to explore New Zealand. For four months, they tramped along Te Araroa, a continuous trail gaining notoriety stretching roughly 2,000 miles from Cape Reinga at the top of the North Island to Bluff at the bottom of the South Island. The adventure would either strengthen their bond to each other and their commitment to a nontraditional life, or it would break them apart. This travel memoir powerfully captures the essence of trail life, New Zealand's unique culture and the tradeoffs to an off-the-beaten path trajectory. Told with suspense, style and humor, backpackers and armchair adventurers alike will learn that this newly created trail in an exotic locale is sometimes zany, but the healthy vulnerability to its rugged nature rewards self-awareness and growth. Readers will feel the pain of every blister, experience the fear of life-threatening tides and be blown away by the hospitality of the Kiwi people, all at the same time.
Teetering awkwardly on the brink of insanity, unable to handle life in snowy, cold, ultra-conservative North Idaho, Carl and Erin sold their house and set out in search of a new place to call home. Suddenly finding themselves completely free of responsibilities, jobless, and with a little spare cash in the bank, it didn't take long before their serious search for a new life took some unexpected twists and turns. "What do you think we should do when we return to the States?" Erin asked Carl, as they sat outside a tiny cafe sipping coffee. It was a question that had been plaguing her for weeks as they budget travelled across South East Asia in an attempt to avoid winter (and reality). "I've been thinking about it, and I think we should thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail." Was Carl's totally unexpected reply. Spend months on end traipsing through the wilderness, petting bunnies and chasing rainbows, as they hiked 2,660 miles from Mexico to Canada? How could Erin possibly say no? Life Rule #1: Never, ever, turn down an adventure. Friends wagered they wouldn't last a week, but before they knew it, days turned into months as they made their way across America at three miles an hour. As Carl and Erin morphed into Bearclaw and Hummingbird, they found that being hikertrash suited them. Though they will both admit the trail was life altering, there were no great epiphanies, no magic answers to all of life's burning questions, no "ah-ha " moments when suddenly life made sense. This is not a tale of personal growth. Through blisters and shin splints, jaw-dropping landscapes and craptastically unspectacular forests, searing heat and pouring rain, complete hilarity and utter exhaustion, this is the story of what day-to-day life is really like on one of America's greatest trails. As told through Hummingbird's journal entries, this is the story of life on the trail - the people you meet, the things you see, and how, mile by mile, you eventually become Hikertrash. Includes: 6 Overview Maps to Follow our Journey 19 Black & White Photos of Sights Along the Trail Leave No Trace Tips Our Gear Lists Our Trail Recipes What Is Hikertrash? Hikertrash: a long distance hiker, shabby and homeless in appearance, rarely bathed and rank in odor, more at home outdoors than in society, with a deep reverence and respect for all things wild.
An inspirational story of adventure and bravery, of a young woman living a primitive, nomadic life in the wilds of the South Island. 'Woman in the Wilderness is an intriguing and mesmerizing book.' Ben Fogle It tells how one woman learned to dig deep and push the boundaries in order to discover what really matters in life. Miriam is a young Dutch woman living in the heart of the mountains with her New Zealand husband. She lives simply in a tent or hut, and survives by hunting wild animals and foraging edible plants, relying on only minimal supplies. For the last six years she has lived this way, through all seasons, often cold, hungry and isolated in the bush. She loves her life and feels free, connected to the land, and happy. There's a lot of drama out there in the wild, and Miriam knows how to spin a good yarn. This is a gripping and engaging read reminiscent of both adventure writing like Wild and nature writing like H is for Hawk, and is perfect for anyone exploring the idea of living a more authentic, real life. 'My life is free, random and spontaneous. This in itself creates enormous energy and clarity in body and mind.' Miriam Lancewood
