Trent finished!!

Bluff to Te Reinga Wairua - of course he did. He always was. A sprained ankle from golf, 6 weeks before our start date was the one shaky moment. However it must of prepared him perfectly, as no later injuries where had (beside a wasp sting).


Okay so there has been some delay in blogs and now there will be some gaps between days - as I full in the dates I was on trail. While this could be blamed initially of a lack of technology - life keeps happening.

Our rental, is a little rural and doesn't have a copper line for ADSL or VDSL. The rural service is fully scripted so it's only phone data - however reception is of low quality and is obtainable at 1-2 bars from the kitchen table. Internet is a bit s l o w.

Whats next:

When I returned to civy life after reaching Palmerston North, I had no intention to complete the rest. I was happy, I did the part I set of to do - Te Waipounamu and a bit more. As soon as I left Trent confirmed a number of times that I havn't missed any thing. Road walking, farms, long days. I didn't have any intention to return to the trail other than support Trent on his way past Hamilton. As he approached the top, I got some time of work and headed to Northland for an intense week. It was then a seed was planted, but still not committed set of to connect the bits I havn't done in the Waikato.

Now with an opportunity between jobs and again closed boarders - it appears a moment to good to pass up.I've handed in my resignation, and will head off to complete the remainder of Te Araroa. Maybe north to south this time (SOBO), to get the other Te Araroa experience. Auckland/Northland sections covid depending...

To do list:

  • Watch copious amounts of Te Araroa youtube videos from 2020/21 (and attempt to connect people, places, severe weather, and covid alert levels)
  • Sort gear - both physically and update lighter pack
  • Source 1p tent and test out (might still stick with the x-mid)
  • Re-water proof rain jacket
  • Get pack repaired (thanks Osprey lifetime grantee!)
  • Also sort through my stuff and pack up house
  • Load up the KOBO with fresh ebooks
  • Free up my phone storage
  • Convince some friends or family to come walk a section? Rose, Mum Ang???
  • Do some training? Would like to knock of Hapuakone range while we are based in the Waikato