Thoughts from the trail

Been off the trail for two weeks after Fielding resting a lower leg injury and spend the last week filling in the bits I skipped. But...

To be updated.

The morning was cool and enveloped in mist rising from the river. That soon burned off as the sun came up. Had breakfast with the...

The track out of National Park followed the mountain-to-sea cycle route under a broody morning sky. But the day turned fine through...

The sky had finally cleared to blue after too many days of grey. The walk out of Whakapapa was special with beautiful views of Ruapehu...

Mangatepopo hut was cozy overnight. Most of the hut occupants were up at 5am and away by 6.30. I had the luxury of a late start as I had...

Beginning to sound like a stuck record, but low cloud and drizzle all day. No visibility for the classic Tongariro crossing. The blue...

Not a gleam of sun either today, just grey sky’s and drizzle. The going was also harder than yesterday. Lots of ascent and slippery muddy...

The day was overcast again with light rain at times. Was crossing the 42 Traverse today, officially closed because of a large slip in the...

On Monday, I said goodbye to Katie, Nick and Tyde at Manukau bus station in Auckland and caught a very full bus to Taumarunui, arriving...

Had a lovely chill time in Auckland with my extended family. Did the remaining Pakakura to Bombay section on a very hot day through rural...

The trail today was a mixture of busy narrow shoulder state highway walking, wetlands, flood bank, forest and farmland walking. A kind of...

Early morning at Rangiriri was enveloped in river fog as I started along the flood bank, enjoying the river experience. Only one small...

Caught the early morning "hospital bus" linking Taumarunui to Hamilton hospital and then a bus to Huntly through a thunderstorm and hail....

My resolve to walk every section possible was immediately tested when I was offered a lift after going only 100m down the road. Of course...

It was a slow start to the morning, grey skies and still raining. I cooked in my tent. Porridge, baby food fruit purée and coffee. We...

A day that was tough, exhilarating and miserable all in one. First of two days on the Timber Trail by mountain bike with only day packs,...

Felt like one long climb all day. We started as a group but then Justin and I went on ahead. I left Justin behind a while later to wait...

The next section out of Te Kuiti had a reputation of being difficult and often flooded. Sam, Talulah and Riorden decided to hitch. Justin...

A new experience for me. At day 40, it was the first time I've planned to hike the whole day with others as opposed to randomly meeting...