The TA is dead; long live the new TA!

Walking Te Araroa was my goal for almost a year, a grand odyssey walking and soaking up the length of my homeland. Those following know my right ankle had other ideas, cutting me down at Paihia, only 250km into the 3000km journey. I made the hard decision to return to Wellington to heal, and I have for many long... Continue Reading →

Southern Roady: Mt Somers and Timaru

A teenager on a chair above me vomits with such volume and power I worry about errant splatters. I tuck myself deeper into the sleeping bag, willing myself out of existence for the four hour ferry crossing. Going hard-up against a chair stops me rocking with the ship and gains me two hours of precious... Continue Reading →

Tramping a bit of the Whakatane River

“The Heart of the Fish” – this is how our tramping/camping trip to Te Urewera and Lake Tarawera was described by Sarah’s colleague in Maori class. The area, an hour or so east of Rotorua and inland of Whakatane is a Maori hinterland. We were keen to explore. Piling a combination of tramping gear, camping... Continue Reading →

Tramping: The Routeburn Track

"You better run if you want to get your plane – but you can't take your pack". The start of this long-awaited tramp with my Dad was a real cock-up. Sarah pops over to give me a ride to the airport. We have hours before we have to leave, and we spend it leisurely. Too leisurely;... Continue Reading →

Ruahine Tramp: Smith Stream

Soaked to the bone, off-plan and hitting the wall - tramping plans don't always work out. This three night mid-winter jaunt in the Ruahine range was one such rain soaked occasion, and my second ever tramp. The Ruahine Ranges stretch from the top of the Tararua's, splitting Hawkes Bay from the Manawatu. Sarah has her eyes... Continue Reading →

Tararua Ranges; Tramping the Southern Crossing

I have longed to explore the Tararua ranges since my early 20s, but through a lack of knowledge, company and the semi-regular deaths-of-the-ill-prepared, they have remained out of reach. Not anymore! This entry covers my first tramp - the Southern Crossing. Often snow-covered in winter, the Tararua Ranges are a seductive untamed wilderness so close... Continue Reading →

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