We’re always trying to lighten the load of our packs, to pack less and keep things simple. But there’s usually one thing that manages to stow away and travel with us without our even knowing. Some people like carrying it and that’s okay, but personally I think it weighs us down and stops us …
Category: hiking
The ranger is keen to ensure I have everything I need for a successful hike. First there’s a five-minute induction video, then I am given a waterproof/tearproof topo map and a quality 135 page guide book. She drops the weighty tome into my hands and I smile, trying to quieten the little voice inside that …
New Zealand is heaven for hikers. It’s stunningly beautiful, relatively uncrowded and absolutely full of trails, but how do you choose one that will suit your needs and desires? There are currently nine ‘Great Walks’, a set of popular hiking trails developed by the Department of Conservation showcasing a variety of the country’s diverse terrain …
There was something about this walk. It changed my view of my place in the world, if only for a short time. Maybe it was the pair of emus that I came across. One ran off while the other came closer, tentatively peeking out from behind a tree for a better look before turning tail …
What the hell was that? An alarming sound that was part pig grunt, lion growl and elephant wheeze pierced the air. I lay alone in my tent considering the options. I was either in a whole lot of trouble with some crazy marauding ‘pig-lion-elephant’ or… (I unzipped my tent and poked my head out to breathe …
With 3068km of Te Araroa trail completed I decided to head even further south for a little ‘cool down’ walk on Stewart Island. Mission: See a kiwi. I had the idea in my head of a little gentle walk and lounging around in a remote hut pondering the last five months, however on the second …
(Photo credit: marker pole) 146 days into this journey and I realise I’ve come a long way. And I’m not just talking about the 2800km of trail behind me. In the last week I tramped alone along the Mavora Walkway, a stunning route through vast open valleys flanked by huge mountains. Wandering for hours through …
It’s been an eventful nine days walking from Methven to Tekapo. After saying goodbye to several long term hiking buddies I found myself heading out alone into what was a potentially challenging high country section. The trail notes and other hiker comments revealed I should expect around 60 river crossings, trail-less routes ‘lightly marked’ with …
“…There’s a river crossing on a rock chute just above a 4m waterfall. The water is flowing fast down the chute and if you lose footing you go over the waterfall… Some trampers may find this section challenging”. Hmmm…should trail notes really read like this? Luckily for us we were blessed with hot and dry …