Soultrekking

 (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 …

Hurry up Laura, winter is approaching…

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 …

It’s Business Time…

“…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 …

Hats off to the Queen

“Has anyone told you about the weka?” the ranger greeted us as we walked into camp.No, what do I need to know about the weka?  “Be careful with your belongings. They have been known to steal things from your tent, even from under the flysheet.” Suitably informed we wandered down to a small patch of …

Not crazy but not lazy…

It’s an interesting observation when you realise that your body has started to accept its new routine of walking all day…every day.  I remember before leaving home reading other hiker’s blogs, talking of walking huge days of 40km and thinking to myself “Pff….well I won’t be doing that any time soon thank you very much!”  …

It’s a jungle out there!

   I’ve just emerged from the forests of the Far North, dirty, tired, sore and not quite smelling of roses…. It’s been an adventure!  I passed through the Herekino and Raetea Forests which were particularly rugged and dense.  There were some long 10-11 hour days, bashing our way through thick lush forest filled with long …