TE ARAROA
THE FACTS
1,862 MILES
5 MONTHS
40,000 FT OF ELEVATION ( 13 EVEREST'S)
2 NORFOLK BOYS
SEPARATE TENTS!!!!
5 MONTHS
40,000 FT OF ELEVATION ( 13 EVEREST'S)
2 NORFOLK BOYS
SEPARATE TENTS!!!!
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The RouteWalking New Zealand will take some time!
However, as retirees, we will have ample opportunity to walk the route as well as take advantage of everything New Zealand has to offer. As a general rule we aim to walk 100 miles a week. Sometimes sections will require us to walk solidly to ensure we reach the next resupply point. Other sections will allow us to walk more leisurely. We only get to do this once so we do not intend to race across New Zealand. If we find an awesome spot we will make the most of it. However, if we make friends that we don't want we will walk a little faster. |
Equipment
Those that walk large hikes such as the Te Araroa are known as thru hikers. These die hard walkers can get their pack base weight (weight without food and water) to as little as 5-7 kg (so they say; we sre yet to believe it. At this extent their packs contain little to no luxuries and they often go to the far extremes of weight saving. It is not uncommon for a thru hiker to cut their tooth brush in half and have just one change of clothes for up to 4 months.
We have followed these hikers in much of our equipment selection; always looking for the lightest option. The lighter the better. The difference in our selection is the amount of equipment and the extra weight of wanted equipment rather than equipment just needed. To avoid 'Extra' wanted equipment being viewed as excessive each item has its weight considered; our tent weighs only 500 grams, at the same time our camping chairs also weigh 500 grams. Our tent is certainly a needed item, a camping chair is a wanted item, nonetheless, the chair's relatively low weight warrant it's place in our packs in return for the comfort it will provide in camp. Throughout our 6 months our equipment is likely to be tested heavily, there will be two considerations as to whether an item makes it home. First whether it survives the trail, second is whether it will warrant its weight; deciding to keep carrying it or dump it.
Currently, our pack base weights are around 13.5 kg. This is a quarter of Luke's weight and a third of Tom's weight. Heavy enough!
We have followed these hikers in much of our equipment selection; always looking for the lightest option. The lighter the better. The difference in our selection is the amount of equipment and the extra weight of wanted equipment rather than equipment just needed. To avoid 'Extra' wanted equipment being viewed as excessive each item has its weight considered; our tent weighs only 500 grams, at the same time our camping chairs also weigh 500 grams. Our tent is certainly a needed item, a camping chair is a wanted item, nonetheless, the chair's relatively low weight warrant it's place in our packs in return for the comfort it will provide in camp. Throughout our 6 months our equipment is likely to be tested heavily, there will be two considerations as to whether an item makes it home. First whether it survives the trail, second is whether it will warrant its weight; deciding to keep carrying it or dump it.
Currently, our pack base weights are around 13.5 kg. This is a quarter of Luke's weight and a third of Tom's weight. Heavy enough!
Journey to the Start Line
'Because it's there' Mallory 1923
We like to think that our journey started in the same way as many other explorations have, in a pub with a beer. Although we are also acutely aware that a lot of bad decisions have been made in the same way. Much like how we imagine some of the great explorers came to their decisions to conquer their respective challenges ours was a decision born from a heady mix of longing for adventure, a need for challenging ourselves, a sense of frustration at our current point in life, and a big dollop of 'because we can'.
The whole journey really began with one very simple question from Luke; 'Tom do you want to grab a beer tonight after work?' At this time we both found ourselves in a position we had not planned, over worked, under appreciated, and both single after lengthy relationships. So that very simple question was not an uncommon one at that point. At the pub it was quickly apparent that neither of us wanted to continue in our job, our time at the Dial House had been an amazing experience and had taught us both a huge amount about ourselves and our ability to push through the physically and mentally demanding long hours which come with running a restaurant. The conversation turned to a question of either starting up our own business or making the most of our current situation and going off to see the world. It was a no brainer really!
We both agreed that we didn't want to do the normal traveling thing of lying on a beach and spending most of the time drunk; as nice as that seems, our thoughts turned to challenging ourselves (and seeing the world along the way). At this point the pub closed and we both went home our separate ways (only having each had one beer on account of talking so much). By the time we both reached home both of us had thought about New Zealand as a destination. Following a few messages back and forth a link was sent to Luke's phone for an obscure website with a strange name, one neither of us are still quite sure how to pronounce, http://www.teararoa.org.nz/ . The thought of a country long hike was born.
It was all just a thought at this point and the actual decision to go came months later. We were both aware of how massive this decision would be so we needed to take time to consider everything and the impact it would have on both of us and the people around us. We set a date of the 1st of February to make a final decision, stay or go! It was actually about 3 weeks before Christmas that we agreed that this was what we wanted to do. So the planning began in secret.
Interspersed with working our butts off over the Christmas period, which massively helped to reaffirm our decision, we read everything we could about the walk and began to research the kit we would need, Tom taking the lead on this and going into nerd mode. We explained our plans to our families who were exceptionally supportive. So, following our skiing trip we both handed in our notice at work and informed the necessary people of our plans. Months of planning and quite a lot of spending followed to reach this point.
Luke:
Much in the same way we had both suddenly found ourselves single we both suddenly found ourselves in relationships. At this point I can't talk for Tom, but this added another dimension to the trip which I had not considered.
In the beginning I was very head strong, and probably a bit of an arse, with regards to the trip and it is a testament to Beth's character that she supported and still supports my decision to go. Leaving for the other side of the world would put a huge strain on even the strongest of relationships let alone one which was only a few months old. Beth herself had been traveling and so therefore understood the reasons behind my need to go. An incredible summer together followed and memories were made, making it even harder to go. It is never an easy decision to do something selfishly, at least not for most people, especially when it jeopardises a new and hopefully lasting relationship along with leaving behind parents of which one has a degenerative illness. So this is why when most people ask "why?" it is much easier to answer 'because it's there'!
Much in the same way we had both suddenly found ourselves single we both suddenly found ourselves in relationships. At this point I can't talk for Tom, but this added another dimension to the trip which I had not considered.
In the beginning I was very head strong, and probably a bit of an arse, with regards to the trip and it is a testament to Beth's character that she supported and still supports my decision to go. Leaving for the other side of the world would put a huge strain on even the strongest of relationships let alone one which was only a few months old. Beth herself had been traveling and so therefore understood the reasons behind my need to go. An incredible summer together followed and memories were made, making it even harder to go. It is never an easy decision to do something selfishly, at least not for most people, especially when it jeopardises a new and hopefully lasting relationship along with leaving behind parents of which one has a degenerative illness. So this is why when most people ask "why?" it is much easier to answer 'because it's there'!
Tom:
Once I had made my mind up there was no going back. Luke and I were going to do this. The strength of our friendship always affirmed this. As such, the trip was never really challenged. Nevertheless, leaving was certainly made difficult by the fantastic six months we had at work and outside of work following our challenging Christmas.
We always endeavored to make the Dial House successful and our hard work was finally paying dividends. The place was starting to thrive. A pretty formidable team formed around us and the energy of the Dial House was addictive. Even tough days became bearable and then enjoyable when spent with a beer and extravagant ice cream creations at the end. I probably spent too much time there! This spilled into life outside of work which was including all the good things; holiday, drink and food among the closest company.
Abandoning those relationships was the harder thing for me. As is leaving your family; especially in times of change. Nevertheless, the reasons for going were, and are, still apparent. Likewise, many of our friends and family have their own grand plans to tackle. As our wonderful summer comes to an end we have a epic New Zealand adventure to begin!
Once I had made my mind up there was no going back. Luke and I were going to do this. The strength of our friendship always affirmed this. As such, the trip was never really challenged. Nevertheless, leaving was certainly made difficult by the fantastic six months we had at work and outside of work following our challenging Christmas.
We always endeavored to make the Dial House successful and our hard work was finally paying dividends. The place was starting to thrive. A pretty formidable team formed around us and the energy of the Dial House was addictive. Even tough days became bearable and then enjoyable when spent with a beer and extravagant ice cream creations at the end. I probably spent too much time there! This spilled into life outside of work which was including all the good things; holiday, drink and food among the closest company.
Abandoning those relationships was the harder thing for me. As is leaving your family; especially in times of change. Nevertheless, the reasons for going were, and are, still apparent. Likewise, many of our friends and family have their own grand plans to tackle. As our wonderful summer comes to an end we have a epic New Zealand adventure to begin!