Prologue: Questions and answers
This is a map of Te Araroa. It has been hanging on our living room wall for a few years now.
The idea of walking the length of Aotearoa will begin to materialise in two days’ time as I take the first steps along that red line, down the spines of Te Ika-a-Māui and Te Waipounamu. This blog is a way to share this journey with my family and friends, and anyone who may be interested in walking Te Araroa one day.
Despite literal years of preparing for this, I have many, many unanswered questions flitting around in my mind right now. They include:
Do I take my wide-brimmed hat with the chin strap and the neck protection flap on the back that ages me 40 years (thanks Dad for pointing this out), or my trusty orange cap?
How much peanut butter is too much peanut butter to eat one day? (there’s no such thing as too much, right?)
What will eat us first - the sandflies, the sun, the wind, or the mud?
What if I get really lonely and bored and end up hating it?
Will any of my friends take up the offer to walk sections of the trail with me?
Although my love of solitude and generally low-maintenance lifestyle are probably considered advantageous for long-distance walkers, this is going to be quite easily the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve told myself to not romanticise this journey, but it will be an adventure whatever happens.
It’s not so much the ‘putting-one foot-in-front-of-the-other’ part of the walk that I’m worried about; I trust my body to tell me what energy and rest it needs. The real challenge will be keeping my spirit and attitude in tact.
The people I’ve spoken to about my plans have as many questions as I seem to have. Here’s a bit of background about the adventure which I hope will answer some of your questions.
TIME
Dad and I are starting the trail from Cape Reinga on Sunday the 22nd November 2020. Luckily, I’m pretty flexible with time at the other end so I’ve got no pressure to finish at a certain date, but I’m aiming to take 4 months to complete the walk - about two months per island.
WHY
A few reasons include:
to see, learn from, and listen to Aotearoa at a different pace. I want to use this time to read books and listen to music created by Aotearoa people
to learn, first hand, what walking every day for a few months does to a person’s mind, spirit, relationships, and body
to step back and enjoy a change of scenery and routine
to figure out where I’d like to direct my energy next.
WHO
I’ll be walking mainly solo, though Dad and I will be walking the first few weeks together, and then he’ll join me again later on if I get that far. I’m grateful to have Dad’s support and that I’m not plunging into this alone.
Maike will be walking the Palmerston North section with me (hi Maike!), and Mum and my dog Nyla will join for the Wellington stretch. I would love company on any part of the trail from my family and friends, and am looking forward to meeting and making friends and whānau, old and new, along the way.
SHELTER
TA walkers stay in a real mix of places - the North Island accommodation is mainly camping and some hostels, and huts in the Tararua Ranges. The South Island has a pretty good DOC hut system. Kind people called Trail Angels host TA walkers along the way, too. In Wellington I’ll probably indulge myself and sleep in my own bed for a night or two.
FOOD
A very important point. Lots and lots of scroggin! Porridge, muesli bars, wraps with peanut butter and hummus, couscous, crackers, dhal, dried fruit, chocolate, chips, and fresh fruit and vegetables wherever possible. As all trampers know, it’s all about squishing the calories and nourishment into the least amount of space and weight as possible. I’ll be posting about my culinary discoveries in the ‘Food’ section (which you can find a link to in the header).
I hope this has given you a bit of context. Enjoy following along on this journey, either on the trail in person or in blog posts to come. I’ll aim to keep you posted every few days/once a week, and mix things up with different media such as podcasts, videos, and photos.
