Logistics of the Northland

December 11, 2018 in Te Araroa, Hike, New Zealand

After Ratea, the Northland opens up. The logistics up here can be daunting, but they have their upsides, too...

Into the Bush

December 06, 2018 in Hike, new zealand

Let's get muddy.

Long Walks on the Beach

December 01, 2018 in Hike, te araroa

So, when you say you like long walks on the beach... exactly how long were you thinking?

The Sabre of Destiny

November 24, 2018 in Hike

Basically we had a choice: wait another day in Auckland or hitchhike 6 hours north.

A few trail photos

April 24, 2014 in Hike

Quinoa jamming out with Dan at a trail angel spot on day 7

Quinoa napping at a trail angel's house.

the beauty I witness each day is breathtaking

Cheers,

Jonathan

Day 2 and day 1 reflections

April 18, 2014 in Hike

I was overly eager and have an ego. I thought I could haul ass and make great time on day one. In fact I did, but at great expense. My whole body was completely shot and I had blisters. I told Dan it wasn't day one I was worried about, it was day two.

It turns out that after ibuprofen, a crapload of protein and a good night's sleep I was recharged and ready to rock. Even still, I didn't know what I would be able to handle after that first day, but day two proved to be the most glorious of days. We upped the mileage to 22, didn't have to fight thought a scorching sun and walked through three different ecosystems. What a blissful day. To top it off, we have adopted two hikers into our merry gang.

As our day came to a close, or so we thought, we got kicked out of our campsite by a park manager or something and were forced to commence our first night hike. While it wasn't something I was terribly excited about, it wasn't bad at all, minus my aching feet. A clearing for four presented itself and it was decided that tents were not needed tonight. What a day, what a day.